Valparaiso zoning board tables rental unit request
By James D. Wolf Post-Tribune correspondent February 19, 2013 8:48PM
Updated: February 19, 2013 9:47PM
VALPARAISO — Before the Board of Zoning Appeals allows the final reconstruction of a house for rental units, they want the junkyard behind it cleaned up.
Irene Moncadar petitioned the BZA on Tuesday to allow her to divide the house at 201 Nickle Plate Avenue into three rental units.
The BZA but tabled the request until March 19.
The upper levels were destroyed in a 2006 fire, and the use is no longer grandfathered in as Moncadar assumed because it took too long to settle with insurance.
Years ago, Moncadar said she received permission to subdivide the lots of 201 and 203 Nickle Plate to put in a junkyard when she couldn’t put in storage units.
Although it’s not used as a junkyard, the BZA wants what’s stored there — including unregistered vehicles — cleaned up before it would approve variances for a smaller lot size.
City Planner Tyler Kent said that single family homes aren’t allowed in that area, and the land is between other homes divided into apartments.
