Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - May 26, 2026

The Board of Zoning Appeals met on May 26, 2026, at 11:30 AM, called to order by Chair Zach Ellison. All five board members were present. The board considered two variance requests, approved several findings of fact, and approved minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Dell (103 [address]) spoke in support of both the Domino's Pizza variance and the Volunteers of America variances. He noted the community's need for permanent supportive housing and supported the parking and density requests.

Discussion Items

BZA 26-35: Domino’s Pizza – Developmental Standards Variance

• Request: Reduce required drive-through stacking spaces from 10 to 5 (five fewer) for a proposed Domino’s restaurant at 4148 West Jonathan Moore Pike (Carlos Folder Road). The restaurant will be 1,800 square feet, drive-through only, with 22 parking spaces and 5 stacking spaces.
• Staff Presentation: Melissa Bagley presented the site plan, noting topographic constraints that make additional stacking spaces difficult. The site slopes from the internal drive toward Carlos Folder Road.
• Petitioner Testimony: Tim Thomas (Milestone Design Group) explained that Domino’s model relies on online/phone orders, so customers do not wait in line as long as traditional drive-throughs. The owner operates 10 locations in southern Indiana with typically 8 employees per shift. Additional parking spaces (22 + 2 EV charging) provide overflow waiting.
• Vote: Motion to approve (all criteria met) passed unanimously.

BZA 26-38: Volunteers of America – Hutchins Crossing (Three Variances)

• Property: Corner of Hutchins and 14th Street, recently rezoned to RM multifamily. Proposed two-story apartment building with 17 units (each 480 sq ft) and 7-8 on-site parking spaces plus leased and on-street parking.
• Variance 1: Allow dwelling units of 480 sq ft (minimum 500 sq ft).
• Variance 2: Allow 17 dwelling units (density maximum 15.25 units based on 25 units/acre).
• Variance 3: Allow 9 parking spaces (required 31). Applicant leases 18 parking spaces from United Way and utilizes on-street parking (9 spaces). On-site spaces are 7 or 8 (updated to 8 per petitioner).
• Staff Presentation: Melissa Bagley noted proximity to parks, commercial services, and transit. Sidewalks will be installed.
• Petitioner Testimony: Chloe Ingle King (Volunteers of America) stated that the project has a 20-year funding compliance period, and the lease agreement for parking will last that long. Typically 10-20% of residents have vehicles.
• Board Discussion: Concerns about reliance on leased parking and future viability. Board voted on each variance separately.
• Votes:
  • Variance 1 (size): Approved unanimously.
  • Variance 2 (density): Approved unanimously.
  • Variance 3 (parking): Approved with one dissenting vote (motion carried).
• Public Comment: Tom Dell supported all variances, emphasizing the importance of permanent supportive housing.

Key Outcomes

• BZA 26-35 (Domino’s): Variance approved (5 fewer stacking spaces).
• BZA 26-38 (Hutchins Crossing): Three variances approved (unit size, density, parking reduction).
• Findings of Fact: Six BZA items (26-20, 26-22, 26-31, 26-23, 26-32, 26-26) were approved with one abstention (Michael Kinder) on each.
• Minutes: Approved with one abstention (Michael Kinder).
• Meeting adjourned.