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Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals addressed petitions for several residences in the county during a board meeting Tuesday.
Stephen Holland requested a petition for an exception for the purpose of allowing the construction of a 28-foot by 38-foot addition to a detached garage, creating an oversized accessory building. The maximum allowed by ordinance is 720 square feet, with Holland's proposal for property at 97 EMS T31 Lane, Leesburg, totaling 1,640 square feet.
Holland said he has a lot of vehicles and tools he requires storage for at the property, which became his full-time retirement home. He told the board one neighbor had drainage concerns but that those were addressed. Holland also noted he received permission from the area's property owner's association for the addition.
BZA member Dan Richard expressed concern with the addition's size, stating it would be the only one like it in the area.
Board members said they were struggling to approve the addition because of its size, even with the support. The board asked Area Plan Commission Director Matt Sandy if Holland went with attaching the structure to his home, if it would need to come back before the BZA. Sandy said it would not.
The board denied Holland's request for an oversized accessory building.
Gregory Snavely requested two petitions for an exception and variance regarding a duplex at 7493 E. 800N, North Webster. These petitions related to allowing a duplex on a tract with multiple uses, and to allow a second residence to remain as a duplex. Local attorney Steve Snyder attended the meeting on Snavely's behalf. Both petitions were approved by the board.
Kory Wilson requested a petition for a variance allowing the placement of a 10-foot by 12-foot moveable shed 3.3 feet from the road's right-of-way. His property is at 9717 N. Hiawatha Lane, Syracuse.
Wilson said he tore down an old shed at the property and talked with his neighbors about placing a new shed. Board members noted the proposed shed would be near a blind curve on Hiawatha Lane and expressed concern with that.
The BZA approved Wilson building a shed at the property, with the stipulation that it must be against his house and 9.3 feet from the road's right-of-way.
Aaron Miller requested a petition for an exception to allow a home-based construction business at 7717 N. 800W, Etna Green, which is in an agricultural district. The business would have up to 20 employees. Snyder attended the meeting on Miller's behalf, stating any construction work would occur at sites, with the location serving as a place to store materials and receive deliveries. The board approved Miller's petition.
Snyder also presented a petition on behalf of the Metzing family for allowing the construction of an outdoor kitchen 12 feet, 8 inches from the east water at 8328 E. Highland View Drive, Syracuse. One letter of remonstrance was submitted against the petition, but the request was approved by the board.
The BZA's next meeting is at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 10.
