The Westchester Public Library shared their plans for restoring the Brown Mansion and building a new barn-like structure to house the history museum with Chesterton Board of Zoning Appeals members, who gave a positive initial response Thursday. The BZA decided to set a public hearing for its next m eeting on March 26, which is when a final decision is likely to be made. The Brown Mansion, with its distinctive Victorian architecture, was built in 1885 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. For years, the mansion has housed the Westchester Township History Museum and some offices. The library took over full ownership of the building in 2024 after leasing the structure for years from the Duneland School Corporation. Heather Chaddock, executive director of the Westchester Public Library, and Jeff Schroeder, an architect with the Moake Park Group, outlined their plans to restore the mansion to its former grandeur and to move the museum into a new, two-story barn structure that will be 4,568 square feet. Chaddock has said that the project is expected to cost around $5 million. But before going forward with construction, Westchester Public Library officials have to obtain a number of variances from the town’s code. The restoration of the mansion will include the construction of a front porch. A variance is needed because the front porch will have a cupola with a spire that will reach 47 feet, higher than the 35 feet permitted under zoning code. The existing roof peak is 40.4 feet and the tallest chimney is 44.8 feet, Schroeder said. Another variance that has to be considered is allowing for the construction of a second building, the barn to house the museum, on the property off of Porter Avenue. A related variance would also be needed because the construction of another building would cover 39% of the land, more than the 30% standard. There will also be a variance considered that would allow for 17 parking spaces, rather than the 26 that would be usually required. Town Engineer Mark O’Dell told the BZA that he is aware of all the issues because he has been in conversations with the library staff for months. BZA Board members expressed their support for the project. “I think it will be very attractive and I support what you are doing there,” said BZA member Joel Carney. BZA member Joseph Ackerman said he also believes that it is a great project. “It’s refreshing to see a project with some character and detail,” Ackerman said. James Kowalski, president of the BZA, said that the restoration of the mansion’s front porch with balconies will add luster to what already is “a remarkable structure.” In other business, the BZA approved a variance that will allow for a 20-by-36-foot addition to the Phillips 66 service station/convenience store at 1598 S. Calumet Road. The variance was needed because the addition will be only 3 feet from a side street off South Calumet Road. Amar Sangha, who operates the business as G S Petroleum, said he wanted to add office space, a new cooler and to improve the restroom. He said he will spend between $75,000 to $100,000 on the store improvements. The BZA agreed to a variance with the conditions that a front entrance ramp and parking space would be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act rules, the design of the addition would match the front of the building, and a building permit would be issued within three years. Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. ...read more read less