Lake County Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - April 15, 2026

The Lake County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) met on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. to consider a correction of a scrivener's error, four deferred petitions (two from the YMCA and two from individual petitioners), and nine new business items. The board approved the scrivener's error correction, the YMCA petitions, and most new business items, while deferring two new business petitions due to inadequate public notice.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the March meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stephanie Barranco Lincoln (16321 Colorado Street, Eagle Creek) opposed the extension for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project (26-XSE-01), arguing that granting the extension would bypass updated ordinances and that the project should be required to submit under current rules. She urged denial out of respect for the integrity of Lake County's process.
• Kristen Woodward (4941 East 165th Ave, Hebron) opposed the same extension, stating that the project should follow the new ordinances requiring rezoning first and that allowing an extension would set a bad precedent.
• Katie Hurst (7350 East 181st Avenue, Hebron) opposed the extension, calling the delay intentional and urging the board to evaluate the project under today's rules for responsible development.
• Tom Lincoln (16321 Colorado Street) expressed safety concerns about the BESS project, citing risks of battery fires, hydrogen fluoride gas, and potential environmental damage to the Kankakee River watershed. He urged the board to deny the extension to ensure full environmental and safety reviews.

Discussion Items

• Old Business – 23-SE-07 (Spannan): Attorney Sullivan presented an amended findings of fact to correct a scrivener's error (three instances where "public conveyance" should have been "public convenience") in the previously approved special exception for a personal motocross track. The court had remanded the correction to the board. The board approved the amended findings unanimously, with clarification that the entire board could vote on the correction.
• Old Business – 26-UV-02 and 26-SE-02 (YMCA): These two petitions (variance of use and special exception) were deferred from March. The YMCA proposed dredging two ponds on the former Pheasant Valley Golf Course to allow canoeing, and depositing the spoil on the property. The project had received Indiana Department of Natural Resources approval. The board approved both petitions unanimously.
• New Business – 26-XSE-01 (Eagle Rock/Longspur): Request for a 12-month extension of a special exception for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Petitioner's attorney, Jim Weezer, cited personal exigent circumstances for the delay and stated the project still needed other authorizations. Public commenters opposed, arguing the project should follow updated ordinances. The board approved the extension, noting the approval is retroactive to the original approval date, leaving about 10 months remaining. The board warned that future extensions may not be granted.
• New Business – 26-V-04 (Viola): Variance to allow an existing house (built c. 1900) with a 30-foot setback on a minor arterial in an R-1 zone (50 feet required). The petitioners are subdividing the lot and needed the variance to proceed. The board approved the variance, noting that if the house is demolished, the setback reverts to 50 feet.
• New Business – 26-V-05 (Dadlow): Variance to allow a 37.06-foot lot frontage (165 feet required) for a flag-shaped lot on a dead-end road. The lot is 9.34 acres, with its own driveway. Approved unanimously.
• New Business – 26-V-06, 07, 08, 09 (James): Four related variances for an existing house and accessory buildings on a 32-acre property being subdivided for family use. The house is 27 feet from the street (50 feet required), two accessory buildings encroach into the setback (1 foot and 26 feet remaining), one building exceeds the maximum floor area (8,504 sq. ft. vs. 3,267 sq. ft. permitted), and one building exceeds the maximum height (23.2 ft vs. 21 ft). All variances were approved unanimously as housekeeping items to allow subdivision.
• Deferred Items: Petitions 26-V-03 (Pedrosa) and 26-UV-03 (Hollis) were deferred to the May meeting because the petitioners failed to advertise as required. The board noted that the May BZA meeting will be held in the auditorium.

Key Outcomes

• 23-SE-07 (Spannan): Approved unanimously – amended findings of fact correcting scrivener's error.
• 26-UV-02 (YMCA): Approved unanimously – variance of use to allow dredging/earthwork in a floodway.
• 26-SE-02 (YMCA): Approved unanimously – special exception to allow deposit of solid fill.
• 26-XSE-01 (Eagle Rock/Longspur): Approved unanimously – 12-month extension of special exception for BESS, retroactive to original approval date.
• 26-V-04 (Viola): Approved unanimously – variance for 30-foot setback on existing home.
• 26-V-05 (Dadlow): Approved unanimously – variance for 37.06-foot lot frontage.
• 26-V-06 (James): Approved unanimously – variance for 27-foot building setback.
• 26-V-07 (James): Approved unanimously – variance for accessory building encroachments (1 ft and 26 ft setbacks).
• 26-V-08 (James): Approved unanimously – variance for accessory building floor area (8,504 sq. ft.).
• 26-V-09 (James): Approved unanimously – variance for accessory building height (23.2 ft).
• 26-V-03 (Pedrosa): Deferred to May meeting due to lack of advertising.
• 26-UV-03 (Hollis): Deferred to May meeting due to lack of advertising.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m. (estimated from transcript).