Zoning issue stands in way of new skate park

Faith East, Lafayette and Tippecanoe County have chipped into for an $800K skate park. A question about how close it is to Indiana 26 could scuttle the whole thing.

• Thanks today for ongoing help from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette, presenting a summer lineup including county artist Lee Brice at Loeb Stadium on Sept. 20. For tickets for the show and details for other events, go to longpac.org.

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ZONING ISSUE STANDS IN WAY OF NEW SKATE PARK

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the Board of Zoning Appeals …

A proposed skate park being planned by Faith Ministries, with financial help from the city of Lafayette and Tippecanoe County, faces a key vote Wednesday when the Board of Zoning Appeals considers a technical aspect of a 270-by-61-foot layout planned near Indiana 26 East.

At issue: Faith has requested to build the park with zero setback from the highway’s right of way, instead of a required 60 feet, on the southern portion of Faith East’s parking lot and campus.

An aerial view of where the skate park would go, over a current Faith East parking lot near Indiana 26 East.

Heading into Wednesday’s hearing, the Area Plan Commission staff – which offers an analysis and recommendation on every request that goes to the Board of Zoning Appeals – is recommending denial. The upshot of the recommendation: Faith has plenty of room to build a skate park without putting it so close to Indiana 26.