Lake County Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Summary – March 18, 2026
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Lake County Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Summary – March 18, 2026
The Lake County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) convened on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. (the provided timestamp of 2:00 p.m. UTC is likely a recording artifact). The meeting covered four agenda items, including two deferrals, one special exception approval, and one variance approval.
Consent Calendar
- The board approved the minutes from the January and February meetings by voice vote.
- Under communications, staff requested deferral of Item 2 (26-UV-02 BZA – Crossroads YMCA, variance of use for dredging within a floodway) and Item 3 (26-SE-02 BZA – Crossroads YMCA, special exception for solid fill deposit) because the required feedback from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Water was not received. The board approved the deferral by voice vote.
Discussion Items
- Item 1 (26-SE-01 BZA): Shane Botma, owner/petitioner, requested a special exception to excavate a pond at 18759 White Oak Street in West Creek Township. The petitioner was not present, but the board considered the application materials and findings of fact previously presented at the Plan Commission. The board determined the application was sufficient and proceeded to a vote.
- Item 4 (26-V-02 BZA): Guru Nanak Dev., Inc. (owner) and Harwinder Singh (petitioner) requested a variance from development standards to reduce the minimum street setback for a gas station canopy and fuel pumps at 1601 W. Ridge Road in Calumet Township. The requested setbacks were 33 feet from Ridge Road (major arterial, required 60 feet) and 36 feet from Grant Street (minor arterial, required 50 feet). The petitioner explained the new canopy would be a slender line (26 feet wide, 132 feet long) with five pump islands, positioned farther from the road than the existing canopy. The board heard that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) had already approved the new tank installation, subject to 30-day advance notice for removal. No public comment was received.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Motion to approve the special exception for pond excavation, including findings of fact. Approved by voice vote (all ayes, no nays).
- Item 2 and 3: Deferred by voice vote due to missing DNR feedback.
- Item 4: Motion to approve the variance for a 33-foot setback from Ridge Road and a 36-foot setback from Grant Street for a gas station canopy, including findings of fact. Approved by voice vote (all ayes, no nays).
- The meeting was adjourned by voice vote.
Meeting Transcript
Of Lake County Board Zoning Appeals to order everyone rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. The following is the emergency exit announcement. Will escort or assist you. Please silence any cell phones during this meeting. You receive a call during this meeting. Please excuse yourself with as little disruption as possible to these proceedings. Do you have a record of those present? Everybody receive their January, February minutes. Yes. Yes. Second. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor by saying aye. Aye. Under communication, Steve. Under communication has some adjustments to this evening's agenda under item number two. Petition number 26-UV-02. Crossroads gentlemen Christian Association Incorporated the order of petitioner. The property is located approximately three tenths of a mile west of Chase Street on the north side of West 141st Annual, also known as 3838, West 141st Abin and Center Township. They have one request for a variance of use from the development stand from the unaccoribate county unified development ordinance. Title 154, Article 16 Additional Regulation of General Flexability. Chapter 10, Development and a Flood Plain, Section A, Flood Way. The purpose of this law of dredging earth work within a floodway. And also related to item number three to the same property. This is a request for a special exception from the unequivocally unapproviliated county unified development ordinance, title 154, Article 16, additional regulation of general applicability, chapter 80, regulation of solid fill A, special exception required. I'm sorry, special exception application required. The purpose is to allow the deposit of fill. Those two petitions were required to have feedback from the Indian Department of National Resources Division of Water. We don't have those, therefore staff is requesting they be deferred. In fact, the plan commission honored that request with item number three on your agenda. So looking for the board to uphold the deferral request from staff on those two issues. Items number two and items number number three. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. Thank you. I believe that concludes communications. Do you have anything else for okay? That'll take us uh do we have any old business? No, sir. On to new business. New business item number one, petition number 26 dash SE-01. Shane Bottom is the owner of petitioner. The property is located approximately three tenths of miles south of West R 85th Avenue on the east side of White Oak Street, aka 1875, White Oak Street in West Creek Township. The request is a special exception from the unincorporated county five development orders, title 154, Article 16 Additional Regulation of General Applicability, Chapter 90, Sand and Soil Excavation Regulations, Section C, special exception approval required. No sand or soil excavation may occur until special exceptionals granted pursuant to 154-17-100. Purposes allow the excavation of a fund.
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