[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6260230,"mediaKeyId","3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84","parentId",3134208,"title","BZA allows covered patio at Stip Road home with Eco Area 2 variance","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5048210,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84&start=5048&end=5048","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84/thumbnail_5048210.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260230/Monroe-County/Indiana/BZA-allows-covered-patio-at-Stip-Road-home-with-Eco-Area-2-variance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260230-f2169efa16e0f5aef3cc422e9e66c373/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056431&Signature=McBxzoeJhBsvoBoLWfgZgfG30QglS2CEJ85oEwyPG3Nr7kmBtc-V-VS1wE6b~OcFDo2pJkmZgaWMOUXo3C~Y1Zdf79TE5O4r4q9nAllYj6mqPcwRUYzgzPht4Tokqq1e9uVts5BmBimuO6BYKUVKi6D~~2Pz5vX7BY1AqmKHuE8Zl4Lh9QLopXzQqzzVEOlNK0uCCFRZqigtv~v18wiEpjK16OuCGaqYK1PvV6muHS16CTYsq7jtWsaQn9ncCX0zfr10YOZqDEpN5QqY8MfXKvj2Xs9L57qGw9Dv4GFwhRloudR0QE7d8iN6FF4T~hz4bned~bNcKViYq~TUt~R8Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe County IN","date","2025-04-27T00:35:53.25Z","article","The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals approved VAR-25-11, an Eco Area 2 variance to Chapter 823 for a 0.58-acre parcel at 3564 East Stip Road (filed as Beetle/Beto Bloomington Investments), allowing a homeowner to cover an existing concrete patio. The approval was unanimous, 4-0.

Planning staff said the lot is smaller than the Eco Area 2 standards require (lot is 0.58 acres vs. the Eco Area 2 requirement for one acre of contiguous buildable area and a maximum residential density of one unit per 2.5 acres). The petitioner applied for a permit to cover an existing concrete patio; staff described this as a small footprint change that requires a variance because it alters roofline and constitutes an expansion for permitting purposes under the county development ordinance. Staff recommended approval, describing the requested relief as the minimum necessary to issue an improvement-location permit for the proposed covered patio.

David Killian, the petitioner, told the board the existing concrete patio would be covered rather than torn out and that the work is modest in scale. No public opposition was recorded. The board found the request met the standards for design-standard approval and voted to approve VAR-25-11; Margaret Clements, Guy Loughman, Jeff Morris and Pamela Davidson voted yes.

With approval, the parcel is considered conforming for the purpose of the single-family addition permitted by this action; the variance runs with the land, as with other design-standard variances in Eco Area 2.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals, April 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The BZA approved a variance for a covered patio at a property on East Stip Road that sits inside the Lake Monroe Eco Area 2, finding the small covered-patio project met the county’s design-standards criteria.","taxTitle","Monroe County, Indiana","taxId",3534,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6260235,"BZA approves Humphrey impervious-cover variance for rebuilding near family property",614,4446365,5060505,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84&start=4446&end=5060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84/thumbnail_4446365.jpg","/articles/6260235/Monroe-County/Indiana/BZA-approves-Humphrey-impervious-cover-variance-for-rebuilding-near-family-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260235-c15c27f29217ddfd9a00c6c1f3bee08b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056431&Signature=NdZGjUnEb1BO9qq~gvcS12zh-awKg~1pHmpT6VA-zQzrvZVVIEX7D---ikclKzJbLmOKsfZHgPWQQeDUVlB5n8XYJqaIe~e3PoWun5q1UQkpfQPDHZgk0b37W8VGGRLtS1F4pQnPjnw8~7yjL32T-Mi8zLp6OzuVykcv--nyTEncb0zxzup5zIhFt-4nFXlL5dQuIqhV6CosDPGbZzsf1pkYQetoCvO57q~43SE7ByOQqyG8262r9dQcN1UOb0~wJLeB5XRebA5rrWpodxymIfONh-zlqVB8AqYDsh3jeTXfFqrS6zCnVlXI9CJb4lghT3R3uAqAKOVzfwyIp8turw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals approved VAR-25-10, a maximum impervious-cover variance for two parcels totaling approximately 4.79 acres at 630 East Empire Mill Road in Perry Township, by a unanimous 4-0 vote.

Planning staff presented that the site already contained substantial impervious area (an existing house, a large asphalt area, driveway and a shed) and that the new development would push the total impervious surface above the CDO’s 20,000-square-foot maximum (the ordinance limits impervious cover to 20,000 sq ft or 20% of lot area, whichever is less). Staff noted an alternate layout could reduce driveway length by roughly 2,500 square feet but would not bring the property under the 20,000-square-foot cap without larger changes. The septic location and other site constraints limit options for relocating the proposed primary residence closer to existing structures.

The petitioner’s representative described personal reasons for expediting the project and said family needs — including caring for an injured relative — motivated the application. No public opposition was recorded.

Staff ultimately recommended approval because the proposal met the county’s design-standard criteria and any additional impervious surface beyond the certified plot plan would require future variance approval or removal of existing impervious area to achieve no net gain.

Board members voted to approve VAR-25-10; the roll call shows Margaret Clements, Guy Loughman, Jeff Morris and Pamela Davidson voting yes. The approval allows the petitioners to proceed with the submitted plot plan and building permit work described in their application, subject to usual permitting and any necessary future variances if additional impervious cover is proposed.","The Monroe County BZA granted an impervious-cover variance for the Humphrey family property (630 E. Empire Mill Road) to allow a new primary residence and driveway on an existing developed lot, citing existing conditions and site constraints.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6260241,"BZA approves Lautenbach garage despite impervious-cover and floodplain questions",2240,2486720,4727085,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84&start=2486&end=4727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84/thumbnail_2486720.jpg","/articles/6260241/Monroe-County/Indiana/BZA-approves-Lautenbach-garage-despite-impervious-cover-and-floodplain-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260241-54425a2ef25f26596667d2fd449fc76b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056431&Signature=VFBJDjhOQFD1kAitHlXFrDZYgVbDKNJBFciA0Ea4AayKUFmrRmZlA6D55W5NrjffPdUqv30qGiEBBnPqTQlecdX-QO5HNc4FJJwOssKlgPZfCoD70uOPcbwb0tnleqIwxAYqKV47e0FplxsuzgxiGElniGAtzWZ79U-JBBSJ4aBkdBeTPbBen5IfGjWER4-XQ1NOXHtWxgFQz6ROspkfFWgXg-no6UtSkQ~4aW-sTZEsnS4iZjMe7RypL7FWPAgVxnTyLB3SL9yW094kZ8T75Up-HNYJmA4tcT0lnRGMfUwuDGYQYVUC73T56G6VT2coDzVM8mFqdnwxTqLQWgXV5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals approved two variances for a proposed residential garage at 7740 North Lakeview Drive, granting VAR-25-9A (maximum impervious-cover variance to Chapter 805) and VAR-25-9B (buildable-area variance related to the special flood hazard area) by a 4-0 vote.

Planning staff recommended denial of both variances, saying the proposed location could be redesigned closer to the house to reduce additional impervious cover and the site’s current impervious area already exceeded the new Residential 1 standards. Staff noted the property’s existing impervious surface (including a tennis court) was substantially above the new 7,000-square-foot impervious limit and that a different layout could avoid the need for a variance. The staff report also noted an alternate garage location that would avoid the mapped FEMA floodplain.

Owner and petitioner Mr. Lautenbach argued to the board that the chosen garage placement better preserves neighboring lake views and neighborhood character. A neighbor and an on-site supporter said the petitioner had shown good community stewardship and encouraged approval.

Board members discussed alternatives, LOMA/LOMR options and the practical effect of the recently adopted county development ordinance (CDO) that replaced older suburban-residential rules. The board heard that the property’s surveyed elevations near the proposed location are above the base flood elevation, meaning a local floodplain development permit was issued for the site; however, the floodplain designation on FEMA maps remains and thus triggered the buildable-area variance request.

After discussion, members concluded the requested variances met the standards for a design-standard variance in this case and voted to approve both variances. The roll call recorded Jeff Morris, Pamela Davidson, Margaret Clements and Guy Loughman voting yes; the motion passed 4-0.

Staff advised the petitioner that pursuing a FEMA map amendment (LOMA/LOMR) could remove the need for similar variances in the future and could be beneficial to both the petitioner and the county.

The approvals allow construction of an approximately 1,540-square-foot accessory garage and associated driveway work at the approved location; alternative locations noted by staff remain an option if the petitioner elects not to build at the approved site.","The Monroe County BZA approved variances allowing a new residential garage at 7740 North Lakeview Drive despite exceeding the new ordinance’s maximum impervious cover limits and mapped floodplain concerns; staff had recommended denial on impervious cover.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6260246,"BZA approves Centra/SIMTRA cafeteria work but continues landscaping variance to June 4",648,999845,1648395,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84&start=999&end=1648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84/thumbnail_999845.jpg","/articles/6260246/Monroe-County/Indiana/BZA-approves-CentraSIMTRA-cafeteria-work-but-continues-landscaping-variance-to-June-4","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260246-d13105a1c2145722131d56c0cf4e69c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056431&Signature=YCogyQE-kHQ0FSnX-12HWyBHeEsCpMgsn6RaFse3~dHxeUJC-kekCVVLwqWdNEQtx1tmpC65Pr4vmz86Zk~~-xsD-QBxWvnD-N1M9ylFx6Tby5MyVD-GSEPbaHTNp14yhf--SReEeMfKXXJDklG9tm80mo2~TVLOzFUjgDU6XyPAoJteFAazJjreeChb6dTnU10gc~qPRxjI300cDNi0-HUQkuSdwXSoB7aK8qXgwW~qA6YC7MqpXPb~5VOuCkTTjDbGuL7OQWYRCg3uAF38rypU80ArzPoqra0AmAPkxUlu6tPV2z4krQfnDhS9tgAyXxKtywf335A9mMyk7wVnew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-0 to approve a buildable-area variance (VAR-25-8A) allowing exterior cafeteria-related work at the SIMTRA (formerly Baxter) campus, but it continued VAR-25-8B (interior parking-lot landscaping) to the June 4, 2025 meeting to allow more time for the petitioner and staff to negotiate a mitigation plan.

VAR-25-8A was requested to permit construction of an outdoor freezer and a canopy overhang that would occupy part of an existing loading dock. Planning staff said the loading-dock area lies within a FEMA mapped Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone AE / floodway) and that the site’s surveyed elevation placed the work at or above the county’s required flood protection grade; staff recommended approval on that basis. Staff also noted the site could pursue a FEMA letter of map revision (LOMR), which would remove the need for the variance if granted.

Brian Shuart, civil engineer with Kimley-Horn Associates and speaking for SIMTRA, told the board the campus had been intentionally constructed with floor elevations two feet above the base flood elevation. Shuart said his firm had collected topographic surveys showing the loading-dock floor to be above the base flood elevation and added that SIMTRA had begun the longer LOMR process for the campus — a process he estimated could take 12 to 24 months — while seeking the variance to allow the cafeteria project to proceed sooner.

David Lambiaso, a SIMTRA representative, described the cafeteria improvements as critical to employee services and campus operations. No public opposition was recorded; the petitioner requested a continuance for the interior-parking-landscaping variance (VAR-25-8B) because staff recommended denial and the petitioner wished to negotiate an alternative landscape plan that would minimize work in the mapped floodway and preserve parking spaces.

The board’s motion approved VAR-25-8A and continued VAR-25-8B to June 4, 2025. The clerk recorded Margaret Clements, Guy Loughman, Jeff Morris and Pamela Davidson voting yes; the motion passed 4-0.

Staff noted an unrelated ordinance violation found during a March 25 site visit is being addressed by the petitioner’s representatives and must be resolved before issuance of improvement-location permits (ILPs) for the work.

The continued landscaping variance will return with staff and petitioner proposals for alternative compliance; the buildable-area approval allows SIMTRA to proceed with the immediate cafeteria improvements subject to any conditions in the building and floodplain permits.","The Monroe County BZA approved a buildable-area variance for SIMTRA’s (formerly Baxter) cafeteria loading-dock modifications in the mapped FEMA floodplain and continued a separate interior-parking-landscaping variance to June 4, 2025.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6260250,"Monroe County BZA approves Anders variances to allow small addition on undersized Lake Monroe parcel",877,226005,1103045,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84&start=226&end=1103","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134208-85635615c759c587e2f736d769118b84/thumbnail_226005.jpg","/articles/6260250/Monroe-County/Indiana/Monroe-County-BZA-approves-Anders-variances-to-allow-small-addition-on-undersized-Lake-Monroe-parcel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260250-fc4ff9f7c39e649f11de44b137c78860/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056431&Signature=U~kAlQHSFbB2zwOx21CP4U1Kr9C~Ldj3dSNiLZOB6HCdcC17ILngfYrXloMFgFKxlj9KFI3q0~fZ4pzR5cOk5TUAlUYekpi41u5y-x7j6sm7JyBEu2tjkiy~C9J0j~Krmg8~DNkFI-J63w~-sNmDCreNSUxv5yL1gOzX62QOT7clSIlxoCaK1gjyrbygC66UCobEfFke6zIxRSgeB1fGl1alU7OlbRKY77nr9DvzxdksWHIptxTrPU62ltKJa0rLO3uUanrP2CACdLKVHvXZntN2WSSzwSx3vAen6TO6zyL28i9yaNsEoJK9NfOb9FIjchOAU24IC2H3dpyQQOq0vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals on a 3-0 vote approved two variances for the Anders property at 6221 South Shields Ridge Road, allowing a small bedroom addition and porch work on an existing, nonconforming house.

The variances approved were VAR-25-7A, a side-yard setback variance to Chapter 805, and VAR-25-7B, an Eco Area 2 variance to Chapter 823 addressing maximum residential density and the one-acre contiguous buildable-area requirement. The approvals allow the petitioner to continue the permitting process for the proposed exterior changes; the eco-area variances run with the land in perpetuity.

The petitioner applied for a building permit in February 2025 for interior remodeling (1,326 square feet reported in the application), a 50-square-foot addition, and a new porch and deck. Planning staff described the structure as preexisting nonconforming because the house sits about 5 to 6 feet from the side property line, while the current Residential 1 zoning requires a 10-foot side setback. Staff also noted that the parcel is smaller than the Eco Area 2 requirement (0.92 acres vs. the required one acre of contiguous buildable area and 1 unit per 2.5 acres density standard), which triggered the eco-area variance requirement.

Staff recommended approval, saying “practical difficulties have been demonstrated,” in part because the prior zoning (Suburban Residential) required a 5-foot side setback and the existing house would likely have complied under the earlier rules. Planning staff also explained that if the variances were denied, the petitioner could still pursue interior work that requires only an improvement-location permit waiver but could not proceed with the footprint expansion as proposed.

Petitioner Andrew Anders told the board that the green area on the plan “is the existing porch. I'm just going to replace the lumber on that, and it's not going to be covered,” and that the bedroom expansion is intended to make the master bedroom usable. No members of the public spoke in opposition.

The roll call for the motion to approve recorded Guy Loughman, Jeff Morris and Pamela Davidson voting yes; the motion carried 3-0.

The board and staff noted that future development on the parcel must comply with applicable setbacks and the conditions of the eco-area variances.

The approved variances allow the Anders family to proceed with the small exterior work while leaving the parcel’s long-term eco-area obligations intact.","The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals approved two variances for the Anders property at 6221 South Shields Ridge Road, allowing a small master-bedroom addition and related work despite current setback and Lake Monroe eco-area size rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BZA allows covered patio at Stip Road home with Eco Area 2 variance

BZA approves Humphrey impervious-cover variance for rebuilding near family property

BZA approves Lautenbach garage despite impervious-cover and floodplain questions

BZA approves Centra/SIMTRA cafeteria work but continues landscaping variance to June 4

Monroe County BZA approves Anders variances to allow small addition on undersized Lake Monroe parcel