"Boutique" Repair Shop Turns Into Heavy Equipment Yard, Sparking Outrage at LaPorte BZA

What was supposed to be a small, high-end automotive repair shop in Center Township has allegedly transformed into a sprawling outdoor storage yard for heavy equipment and commercial trucks, leading to a heated showdown at the LaPorte County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).

In August 2025, the BZA granted a use variance by a narrow 3–2 vote for a property located at 305 West Johnson Road, zoned R1B (residential). The variance was granted to Premier Real Estate Development LLC, RJs Boosted Performance LLC, and T K Repair LLC. At the time, the business owners represented their operation as a small, indoor-oriented boutique mechanic shop with a mobile service truck that would operate off-site.

However, neighboring property owners, represented by Legacy Corporation and Legacy Lane LLC, filed a petition to rescind the variance, claiming the operation has drastically expanded beyond its approved scope.

A "Fundamentally Different Land Use"

During the May 12 meeting, Anthony Novak, attorney for the petitioners, argued that the business owners have "unilaterally expanded, intensified, and materially changed their use."

According to Novak, the property now features outdoor storage of heavy equipment and commercial trucks, outdoor mechanical work, long-term storage of wrecked and inoperable vehicles, and an accumulation of debris.

Petitioner's characterization of current use

Attorney Anthony Novak told the BZA the operation had become more like a junk or salvage yard with outdoor storage of heavy equipment and inoperable vehicles.

"We believe that the activities that are going on here align a little bit closer to a junk or salvage yard." — Anthony Novak

Novak warned that failing to take action would set a dangerous precedent, allowing petitioners to make false representations to the board to secure approval and then operate however they please. He noted that the petitioners had sent a letter to the business owners in December 2025 detailing the violations, but no significant changes were made until the threat of revocation loomed.

The Defense: "No Authority to Revoke"

Christopher Willoughby, representing the business owners, pushed back forcefully against the petition, arguing that the BZA lacks the legal authority to revoke the variance at this stage.

Willoughby contended that under the Joint Zoning Ordinance (JZO), revocation requires a specific process: an investigation by the enforcement official, a formal finding of a violation of a condition or written commitment, the issuance of a stop work order, and due process. None of these steps have occurred.

Respondent counsel on lack of enforcement findings

Respondent counsel argued there were no stop-work orders or fines and that revocation would be premature without due process.

"We don't have any stop work orders. We don't have any fines." — Christopher Willoughby

He also accused the neighbors of harassing his clients from "day one," citing multiple police reports and incidents of trespassing. Willoughby acknowledged that the business has grown and that large trucks are present—noting that T K Repair is a truck business—but maintained that the operation still qualifies as a small mechanic business.

"Just because there's big trucks doesn't mean there's big repairs going on," Willoughby said. "Do they need to fit in that neighborhood? Absolutely. Do they intend to? Yes."

Board Frustration and Legal Guidance

The dispute has clearly worn on the BZA members. Board member Eric Pointon expressed exasperation with the ongoing conflict.

Board member frustration

Board member Eric Pointon expressed exasperation with the volume of complaints and evidence submitted by both sides.

"I am sick of both sides. I'll be completely honest here. The amount of emails and BS that we have dealt with... I don't want to see another picture ever again of this facility from anyone." — Eric Pointon

BZA President Melissa Mischke, however, was more pointed in her assessment of the property.

"I drive by there all the time. It's an eyesore. It would be an understatement in my opinion," Mischke said. "I feel like the verbal representation that was made to us... is definitely not what is going on when they applied for the variance in the first place."

Mischke also noted that expanding the operation to include large trucks does not demonstrate an effort to fit into the residential neighborhood.

The board sought guidance from their legal counsel, Attorney Voltz, who advised that the BZA does indeed have the authority to act. Voltz noted that the original variance incorporated specific sections of the JZO regarding vehicle service stations and truck stops, including rules on storage and display.

"My understanding is that the original use variance did have at a bare minimum two conditions that have not been met," Voltz advised the board. "This is something that you can hear to determine whether or not that permit was properly granted and then what your action can be moving forward."

The Verdict: Enforcement Ordered

Ultimately, the board did not immediately revoke the variance, but they did take decisive action.

The BZA voted 4–1 to direct the building commissioner's office to use its discretion to levy fines and pursue enforcement action against the business for noncompliance with both the initial use variance and the JZO.

The board instructed the building commissioner's office and legal counsel to meet promptly and return with a progress report at the July meeting, giving the business 60 days to face potential warnings, fines, or stop-work orders.