A house in the first block of Hjelm Road in Porter is unusual in its vertical configuration with two distinct living quarters and even two separate driveways.

Donovan Hilbrich bought the house with the idea of fixing it up and turning it into a duplex with two rental units.

So, Hilbrich went to Porter’s Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 20 with a request for a variance from residential zoning rules that would allow him to use the property as a duplex.

“I want to go through the proper channels,” Hilbrich said, in explaining his request.

But the BZA didn’t see things Hilbrich’s way and denied the request in a 4-1 vote, with member Erik Wagner dissenting.

Hilbrich is appealing the BZA’s decision to the Porter Superior Court.

“The decision is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion,

See Full Page