Board approves 70-home subdivision variances; utility-easement reduction tabled

The La Porte City Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 12, 2025 approved multiple variances for a proposed subdivision on roughly 31 acres at the southwest corner of Monroe Street and Boyd Boulevard, while tabling a separate request to reduce a 20-foot utility easement to 10 feet so public-works staff can review utility needs and jurisdiction.

Developer John Koffchak and representatives from Dillon Group outlined the development as roughly 70 single-family homes with 49 rental units on the north side of the new road; two existing homes on the site will remain. The developer asked to reduce rear-yard setbacks in an R-1D zone from 20 feet to 10 feet, shorten certain front-yard setbacks in an R-2B zone to 10 feet, and to allow two small perpendicular parking areas that would require motorists to back into the street for some townhome units. Koffchak said he hopes to begin land-development work in about six to seven months, weather permitting.

Planning staff (speaker 2) reviewed each variance request and recommended approval, saying the proposed changes are comparable to other nearby city developments and noting the subdivision design retains open space and existing trees. Public-works and other staff (speaker 11) requested the board table the petition’s separately noticed request to reduce a 20-foot-wide utility easement to 10 feet to allow staff to coordinate with wastewater and water directors and to verify which body has jurisdiction to act on that easement reduction. Public-works staff told the board, "we would request that you consider tabling that specific item that was included in the request" to allow further coordination.

On a motion by speaker 4, seconded by speaker 5, the board approved the remaining variance requests for petition 25-15 with the condition that the developer participate financially in future Boyd Boulevard sidewalk work per the city’s greenways and pathways master plan; the utility-easement reduction was tabled for additional staff review. The board’s approval covers the setback reductions, the two small parking areas for townhome lots, and authorization to proceed with the remainder of the developmental-standards requests pending final administrative reviews.

Next steps: staff will work with the developer and public-works directors on the easement issue, and the developer will proceed with primary plat and related approvals before land development begins.