Board of Zoning Appeals faces backlash over controversial mobile home placement

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ELKHART, Ind. (WSBT) — People in an Elkhart neighborhood are fed up with a new neighbor.

A local homeowner placed a mobile home for a loved one on their property, causing neighbors to say the move puts them in harm's way.

What was supposed to be a loving gesture to help a family member is not sitting right with neighbors or city officials.

"I want that out, I want it gone," said next-door neighbor Leiloni Lyons.

A homeowner wanting to have their ill mother live nearby began the process to make it happen, but many believe it was not done correctly from the start, as only a few neighbors received letters about it.

"So, the rights of all of these people were violated. Actually, the neighborhood did not receive official notification. The city blamed the GPS service for not having given notification to surrounding residents,” said City of Elkhart Councilman 3rd District David Henke.

One neighbor who did receive a letter was in support of her neighbor's idea at first until a mobile home rolled up.

“I spent about $10,000 putting up this fence in May. And she comes along and sets that trailer up,” said Lyons.

Henke says the Board of Zoning Appeals was also duped into believing it was going to be a small house built in the yard based on the original presentation.

Before anything could be done, the councilman was sent a video of the wheels being removed and the mobile home being placed.

When asked how neighbors would be impacted by the move, Henke says depreciation is going to be a big factor.

"The neighbors are very upset, and they should be because a mobile home does depreciate at a faster than any stick house home or modular. That's a fact you can look it up in Google. Any part of that,” said Henke.
Other concerns include emergency personnel access, zoning violations, and parking, especially with Beardsley Avenue being a snow route.

A petition has been created and already has more than 100 signatures.

Some worry House Bill 1001 could allow the property to stay, but Councilman Henke disagrees.

“I talked to its author, Doug Miller, and he said, no, mobile home is still not allowed in that particular area, even under House Bill 1001,” said Henke.

Alex Otto, a spokesperson with the City of Elkhart, provided WSBT with the following statement:

The City is aware of the situation regarding the accessory dwelling unit on East Beardsley Ave. After becoming aware of the matter, it was determined that proper notice had not been provided to neighboring property owners. The City has not issued any additional permits for the property, nor has it conducted any additional inspections since becoming aware of the improper notification. Now that proper notification has been made to the neighboring properties, the variance request will be reheard at the next Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on March 12th. It is important to note that the Board of Zoning Appeals operates independently of the City and approves or denies all variances within the City of Elkhart.

The next Board of Zoning Appeals meeting is on March 12th.

https://wsbt.com/news/local/elkhart-b...

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