The Broad Ripple Village Association Land Use and Development Committee met on Tuesday, June 12, 2007, at the Broad Ripple United Methodist Church to discuss new zoning ordinances for four village locations.

The first property under discussion was the development at 916 Westfield Blvd., next to the Monon Coffee shop. Victoria Burch has commissioned a three-story condominium/retail structure to be built-which, initially, did not comply with current fire codes.

"We are no longer taking the construction all the way to the side of the Monon," Burch said. "That is the biggest change we have made in the modeling."

Construction on the building is estimated to start on June 22, 2007, and extend for a 120-day contract. Burch mentioned that, in compliance with the neighbors and village visitors, Kroger has given the construction workers permission to park in their lot during the building time.

Board members agreed that this was extremely considerate of Kroger and voiced numerous compliments for the grocery store's ownership.

The second property under consideration for change was 6019 Guilford Avenue, a residential home owned by Spencer Fields.

Fields wishes to tear down his old garage and begin construction on a larger one to provide safety for his possessions. He asked for a variance of development standards to provide for a 522-square foot attached garage with changes to the setbacks.

"I have noticed a crime rise in the area," he said. "I want to have a two-car garage to fit both my wife and my cars in a place where they will not be damaged."

Fields continued by stating that the city's issue is with the extension the of the building line on the southern side of the property. He commented that the neighbors do not seem to have a problem with him doing so, and they will also be provided with more privacy. The BRVA requested an automatic continuance for Fields until July 17, 2007, to give time for the board to vote on this issue.

The third property discussed was 6191 Broadway St., which had been under discussion at the last meeting as well.

Christine Hawhee is trying to buy the property, a rental, to open a beauty salon with five booths. If she receives the proper zoning variance, she plans to upgrade the entire place and tear down the garage for parking. She also said that she has committed to use only a 2'x2' sign to advertise the business.

Her consultant, Mitch Sever, mentioned the benefit of Hawhee buying the property rather than allowing it to continue as a rental.

"She will keep the property neat and clean," he said. "The city is not crazy about the idea because it is breaking the block, but the past renters have been lacking in the upkeep of the property."

Area neighbors and church representatives were both present at the meeting in support of Hawhee's efforts. They said that they felt she would do a much better job of keeping the neighborhood clean and the property in shape. Her downtown hearing is scheduled for June 26, 2007.

The final property discussed included both 5902 and 5916 College Avenue, also known as the eclectic furniture/home goods store, Haus.

Joe Zody was present representing his wife Zanita's retail shop, which has had a five-year presence in the Broad Ripple area.

Zody requested a variance in development standards of sign regulations for a 4.5-foot tall, 9.75-square foot A-frame sign (portable signs not permitted in original zoning) and a variance for the sign regulations to provide for the outdoor display of (2) five-foot tall mannequins to be placed on the sidewalk.

"My wife has always had these mannequins and the sign up in front of her store," Zody said. "It was not until recently that the city ordered her to take them down or be fined.

"The main problem," he continued, "is that many people did not even realize the store was open because she was not allowed to have her sign and mannequins out during the day."

An automatic continuance on Zody's behalf has been requested for July 10, 2007.

The next Land Use and Development meeting will be on June 26, 2007, at 6 p.m. at the Broad Ripple United Methodist Church.