Town Of Clear Lake Indiana
Board Of Zoning Appeals - Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the July 26, 2004 Meeting

Present:   Christopher Folland
                Bonnie Brown
                Larry Armstrong

Hearings opened at 7:00 PM by Larry Armstrong who introduced the Board members and explained the purpose and objectives of the BZA. He related that the March BZA meeting had been postponed due to the Town’s lack of insurance coverage and the June meeting was postponed due to legal notification delay. He also explained that BZA members Emma Brown and Alan LaRue were unable to attend but, since a quorum was present, the variance requests would be heard.

Norbert John Schenkel, 472 Lake Drive, requests to add a 17’ addition to his existing 24’x33’x17’ garage/storage building. One note of opposition received.

Hearing closed. Written vote taken.

George Strasser, 924 Lake Drive, requests to tear down a non-conforming structure with the exception of one outside wall that is 1’8” from the property line. There were three letters of opposition. The neighbors at 926 Lake Drive (Robinson) and an attorney (Craig Benson) who represented the neighbor at 923 Lake Drive (Fankhauser) testified in opposition to the variance.

Hearing Closed. Written vote taken.

Mary Ann Barth, 770 Lake Drive, requests to construct a 30’x 40’x23’6” garage across from her residence. Two letters of support were presented and Ms. Barth offered a letter of explanation that, even though she intended to put plumbing fixtures in the structure, the garage/storage area would never be used for living space. There was one letter of opposition.

Hearing closed. Written vote taken.

James Lowry, 402 Lake Drive, requests to build a 40’x 60’x 17’ storage building on 13.2 acres he owns that is located across from his cottage. There were two letters of support from immediate neighbors and one letter of opposition. Two persons testified in Mr. Lowry’s behalf.

Larrol Cutshall, 462 Lake Drive, requests to build a 30’x26’x18’ garage on property he owns across from his cottage. There were three letters of objection and testimony from two neighbors who oppose the variance.

Hearing Closed. Written vote taken.

Thomas Levenson, 296 Lake Drive, wishes to add a 10’ second level deck to his existing 6’ balcony on the lakeside of his house. He presented four letters of support from immediate neighbors.

Hearing closed. Written vote taken.

Richard Oldsen, 18 Lake Drive, requests a variance to construct a 30’x40’x23’ garage/storage building in addition to his existing garage on a lot across from his residence. There was one note of opposition.

Hearing closed. Written vote taken.

Schenkel variance was announced as APPROVED but recorded as DENIED. The written vote was split with the deciding member APPROVING an 11’ addition to the existing structure.

Strasser variance DENIED.

Barth variance DENIED.

Lowry variance APPROVED.

Levenson variance APPROVED on condition that deck/balcony not be screened in.

Oldsen variance request was DENIED after he was offered a smaller/lower structure and refused the offer.

Hearings portion of the meeting closed and open meeting of the BZA followed with four guests present.

Minutes of the December, 2003 meeting were read and approved after a change in the house number on the Walters application.

Updating/Interpretation of the zoning ordinances were discussed. It was generally agreed that zoning ordinances are dynamic and subject to ongoing review by the Plan Commission, Town Council, and the Town Attorney.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM. Next meeting is scheduled for September 28, 2004 at 7:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,