Board of Zoning Appeals

CITY OF HOBART BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MINUTES OF JUNE 4, 2015 Mr. Dan Waldrop called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. with the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. Members in attendance: Mr. Ron Jackson, Mr. Dan Waldrop and Mr. Dennis Zoladz. Members absent: Mr. Stuart Allen and Mr. Greg Lollis. Also in attendance: Mr. Sergio Mendoza, City Planner and Ms. Joy Respecke, Recording Secretary. Also absent: Mr. Phil Gralik, City Engineer and Mr. Carroll Lewis, Zoning Administrator. Approval of Minutes: Mr. Jackson made a motion to approve the minutes of May 7, 2015 as presented, seconded by Mr. Zoladz. All ayes, motion carried. (3-0) Communications/Acceptance of Agenda: Mr. Jackson made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mr. Zoladz. All ayes, motion carried. (3-0) New Business 1. 15-04 Jeffery L Robbins (Owner/Petitioner) 920 S. Linda Street located 400’ north from the NW corner of Linda & 10th Streets, zoned R-2, 0.23 acre . Request: Public Hearing: A petition for a Dev. Standards Var. Sec. 154.006 (F)(3) Purpose: To exceed the permitted 15’ in height for accessory structures by 4’ for a proposed 24’x36’ pole barn type garage Approved X Denied __ Deferred __ Vote 3-0 Jeff Robbins, 920 S. Linda Street proposed to demolish his existing garage and construct a 24’x36’ pole barn structure with a gable roof 4’ over the permitted height of 15’ allowing him to house his motor home. Mr. Waldrop opened and closed the Public Hearing for Petition 15-04 without public comments. Mr. Mendoza mentioned the ordinance reads that accessory structures shall not exceed 15’ in height or 20’ if it aesthetically matches the primary structure. Mr. Robbins’ house is constructed with a hip roof and the proposed pole barn will have a gable roof which allows him 15’ at the peak. Mr. Jackson made a motion to Approve Petition 15-04 including all discussion and findings of fact, seconded by Mr. Zoladz. All ayes, motion carried. (3-0) Staff Consultation/Discussion: Mr. Mendoza introduced Kristina Kuzma. He mentioned with help from a grant from the Lake Michigan Coastal Program she was hired as a summer intern and will be working on the Hobart Sustainable Neighborhoods before returning to Ball State. Mr. Mendoza informed the Board that Staff received a request from Jeff Mauck to allow overnight camping over the 4th of July weekend located on the former US 30 dragstrip property on Clay Street which is zoned residential. The intent is to sell campsites to those attending the Grateful Dead concert in Chicago and shuttling concert goers back and forth. He mentioned that that due to the timeline, he informed Mr. Mauck he may request a special meeting for variance approval. Mr. Zoladz noted the landscaping for the billboard sign on the SE corner of Maxwell St. & Ridge Rd. has not been completed. There being no further comments or discussion Mr. Zoladz made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Jackson. All ayes, motion carried. (3-0) Meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m. Mr. Waldrop reconvened the meeting at 6:28 p.m. due the late arrival of Jeff Mauck. Jeff Mauck, 5690 Delaware Street, Merrillville: Mr. Mauck proposed to lease 60 of the 138 acres located at the former US 30 dragstrip, zoned R-2, and sell 1,000 campsites for overnight camping. His intent is to shuttle people back & forth for the Grateful Dead concert in Chicago on July 2, 3, 4, & 5. Proposed on site will be stages for entertainment, vendors and local sponsors. Private security and off-duty police officers were also proposed. Also Mr. Mauck proposed to donate $100,000 to the City contingent upon the sale of the campsites. The Board expressed several concerns regarding the proposed request which includes scheduling and providing necessary paperwork for a special meeting, meeting the public hearing requirements, the sanitary conditions and, due to this occurring on the July 4th weekend, public safety services. Mr. Mauck was instructed to file for a special meeting for variance approval and Staff would secure a date that would allow adequate time for public hearing requirements. Mr. Zoladz made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Jackson. All ayes, motion carried. (3-0) Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. ____________________________ _______________________________ Dan Waldrop, Chairman Ron Jackson, Secretary Page 2 BZAmin 6/4/15