Chesterton BZA handed appeals of cease and desist orders

Chesterton’s Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) handled two appeals of cease-and-desist orders after the town building commissioner issued notices against home-based business activity and an alleged short-term rental. Jacob and Kerri Isom were cited for operating a business at their home on the 1000 block of Park Avenue, where such activity is not permitted in a residential zone. A cease-and-desist order was also issued to Pramod Kondapelli for a short-term rental at 130 Washington Avenue, prohibited in an R-1 residential district. The board waived a $50 unpaid administrative fee for the Isoms’ case and ultimately upheld the cease-and-desist order, with Kerri Isom apologizing and saying they started the business to supplement income. The BZA did not hear Kondapelli’s case because the paperwork was filed late, and a preliminary hearing is planned for the August meeting; Kondapelli also sought a use variance and questioned whether bookings made before the hearing could continue.