Board of Zoning Appeals

AREA BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS OF TIPPECANOE COUNTY LAFAYETTE DIVISION September 18,2017 The City of Lafayette Board of Zoning Appeals met in regular session on Monday, September 18, 2017 at 4:17 PM. Members present were: Tracy Waider, David Lahr, and Kathy Davis. The meeting was called to order by Ms. Davis. Ms. Walder moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as distributed; second by Mr. Lahr. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. NEW BUSINESS: 2017-25 Petition filed by EDWARD OPPERMAN for variance to allow 2 vehicular parking spaces instead of the required 5 spaces. Property located at 1901 KOSSUTH ST. Ms. Walder moved to hear and approve the petition, second by Mr. Lahr. Joe Bumbleburg, agent for the petitioner, presented the petition. The petitioner, Edward Opperman, was also present. Mr. Bumbieburg stated that Mr. Opperman has a building at 1901 Kossuth Street. It is in an NB zone. He then provided a brief history of the NB zones in this vicinity. He continued that Mr. Opperman has an accounting job here; it is not a big lot. Per the tax roll, the house was built in 1920. It is an interesting building on the outside and he concluded that historic preservation would feei it is worthy of keeping. That is why it was zoned NB. With the NB zones comes the requirement for parking. The building required 5 spaces. They cannot provide 5 spaces without changing the building. There is also a beautiful tree. Mr. Oppennan added that the City had already removed the rest of the trees at this location because of the emerald ash barer. Mr. Bumbieburg continued that they can provide 4 spots but only 2 count. Mr. Bumbieburg also shared some photographs he took of the nearby on-street parking situation. A general discussion about this parking and poiice enforcement ensued. Mr. Lahr stated that he recalled that there was a beauty shop at this location in the past and that could be the reason for the NB zone. Ms. Waider asked about the neighbor to the south. Mr. Opperman replied that there was a garage he tore down but he has a fence there to block the view from that neighbor. Mr. Bumbieburg stated that this wiii be a better situation and the tree will not have to be taken down. Referring to the submitted site plan, he added that they cannot put in 5 spaces. Secretary Griffee stated that he had received a phone call from a neighbor who asked if their property was being taken and that he !et them know this was not the purpose of this petition. No additional input was provided by the neighbor. The Board voted by ballot: 3 yes 0 no. PETITION GRANTED The next meeting of the Lafayette Board of Zoning Appeals will be on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 4:00 PM. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 4:28 PM Chair w Secretary