The Whitestown Board of Zoning Appeals on May 1 approved a development-standards variance to increase the maximum building height in the MU Core district from 40 feet to 60 feet to allow construction of a five-story, 136-room co-branded TownePlace Suites/Fairfield Inn hotel at 5887 Perryworth Road.

The variance passed on a 3-1 roll call after staff recommended approval and the applicant described site design and economic reasons for the taller building. Board member Miss Haas voted no; Philip Snowberger, Lewis Ekins and King Till voted yes.

John Davoshewitz, a land-use professional with the law firm of Nelson and Frank and Berger representing applicant Jarpreet Investment Corporation, told the board the proposed development sits on about 3.2 acres and that the developer has submitted a plat and a development plan that will go to the Planning Commission next week. “The applicants requested variance approval to permit, an increase in the maximum building height to allow construction of a 5 story, 136 room hotel,” Davoshewitz said.

Staff presentation noted the property is in Special Development Area No. 5 and the MU Core district’s 40-foot height limit differs from nearby zones: the MU OSR district allows 50 feet, an adjacent Urban Development District permits up to 75 feet, and portions of the Anson Planned Unit Development have hotel heights the staff listed between roughly 52 and 80 feet. Staff recommended approval, saying the request met the variance criteria and was consistent with the Whitestown comprehensive plan.

Board members and the applicant discussed compatibility with surrounding development. The applicant and project engineer Rusty Spires said the building steps down toward the adjacent multifamily housing: “That building element closest to that side is also 1 story,” Davoshewitz said, describing a single-story portion nearest the apartments and the taller five-story portion pushed closer to Perryworth Road. Spires, the civil engineer on the project, said five-story hotels are not unusual and that economics and site grading influenced the design: he said fill and site work increased the project’s vertical needs.

Board member Miss Haas pressed the applicant on the need for five stories, citing nearby hotels and asking why the project could not match the existing apartment heights. “I’m kind of questioning why there is a need for this to be 5 stories,” Miss Haas said. The applicant responded that the proposal is a co-branded hotel combining two brands in one structure and that parking and other development standards would be met on-site.

Alan, a member of Whitestown planning staff, clarified a discrepancy in the meeting materials: the agenda showed a 50‑to‑60-foot change but the MU Core district’s permitted height is 40 feet; staff confirmed the proper baseline is 40 feet and the request is for 40 to 60 feet. The record shows the variance was approved with a motion that cited UDO 11-15-F-2 and the staff findings of fact and substantial compliance with the submitted site plan.

The applicant and staff also told the board that the technical advisory committee reviewed the project and that fire and police did not raise objections to serving a five‑story building. The development plan remains subject to Planning Commission review and any site-plan conditions that body or staff may require.

The board’s approval permits the petitioner to seek building permits consistent with the granted 60-foot height; the development plan and any remaining administrative approvals must be completed before construction begins. The board recorded the vote as Miss Haas — no; Philip Snowberger — yes; King Till — yes; Lewis Ekins — yes; outcome: approved, 3–1.