Ms. Vannice stated that was part of why they had not added them to the plan since it would have been an added expense.

Ms. Fritch stated that there had been a lot of discussion of the plantings outside the greenbelt and stated that the landscaping was minimal. She asked if the Board granted the variance, could they add the requirement that landscaping be installed outside of the greenbelt.

Ms. Swackhamer stated that the Board can place any conditions.

Ms. Fritch asked if the applicant could provide a landscape plan prior to the approval of the request since they had no plan and that was crucial to their making a decision.

Ms. Vannice stated that would set them back another month and she would need to check with her client and that maybe they could move the greenbelt in on the property.

Ms. Ivy asked if they would need to go back to the engineer.

Ms. Fritch stated that as a Board member, if they were to approve the request, they should have conditions in place that certain beautification efforts be made, but in the absence of drawings it would be difficult to outline those conditions.

Mr. Wiseley stated that the Board could place a condition that the number of plantings required in the greenbelt be planted on the property.

Ms. Fritch stated that answered her questions.

Ms. Fritch made a motion to continue BZA 30-26 the appeal filed by Muncie Housing Authority of the City of Muncie with the hardship as stated in the application. Mr. Hinds seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Mr. Billington, Ms. Fritch, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Hinds, Mr. Ivy, Ms. Knapp, and Ms. Mathewson. Voting against: None. Motion carried, BZA 30-26 continued to the June 25, 2026 regular meeting (7-0).

BZA 31-26
Jurisdiction: Board of Zoning Appeals
Being a public hearing on the matter of an application filed by B&B Premier Properties LLC, requesting a variance of use from the terms of the City of Muncie Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, to allow the conversion of an existing single-family dwelling into a duplex, in a single-family residence zone, for a total of 3 dwelling units, on premises located at 1101 West Neely Avenue and 1111 North Locust Street, Muncie, Indiana, as more accurately described in the application.

Jakob Hanson, Campus Rentals, appeared. He stated that the property had 2 dwellings with 1 having 6 bedrooms currently. He stated that they would like to change that to a stacked duplex, but would continue to have 6 bedrooms. He stated that the influx of students they were viewing 1-3 bedrooms as more desirable than larger homes.

Ms. Mathewson stated that parking had been addressed in their information. She stated that it was 6 existing bedrooms and would stay 6 bedrooms, so would he anticipate the same number of vehicles.