[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6223681,"mediaKeyId","3567605-73cefd112e5f416577e79e78fe740bd2","parentId",3567605,"title","Board affirms notice of violation against Bakers after hours‑long hearing over lights and outdoor storage","audioSeconds",4632,"startMs",2986000,"endMs",7618000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3567605-73cefd112e5f416577e79e78fe740bd2&start=2986&end=7618","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3567605-73cefd112e5f416577e79e78fe740bd2/thumbnail_2986000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6223681/Morgan-County/Indiana/Board-affirms-notice-of-violation-against-Bakers-after-hourslong-hearing-over-lights-and-outdoor-storage","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223681-0fbb0b7f1e31ac98608fb307dec2fb4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206971&Signature=RiC81TT4uyFv7dHyt4Ookyd0vI~665zp8NQ8wYF5IheqD3bfyKSB1AJWGpDPgIdvROefm7co~edCXdIByahaRonXXVHDtwFzDAKEJA34ZobGsseig8UjAJpnHYigT1UkR9DtlMq8O5j2LNDwsfMFa2U-r6CgUNM5M0FKVksNEuIpezlZu-2TshaGdkp~IzenEetHrEiNfLFSBNJw6hftJv3pSxOB7tWaJ1HbvuG1gzYQe04PXQUM7npn-SYdn~StwUh6-fVfcysbTurjXL3uN7hmVZz3uTpxdNMBlTzuuluC4x3DazznjUitw-BbZTbG-zzf3uVylVd4lGgFBAo2iQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Morgan County IN","date","2025-05-28T22:06:24Z","article","The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals on May 28 affirmed a planning‑staff issuance of Notice of Violation Order No. 2024‑01 against Jeffrey and Crystal Baker for their property at 10869 West Appaloosa Road in Adams Township, concluding a lengthy hearing that included multiple neighbors and planning staff testimony.

The violation notice, issued by the planning department and described in the staff packet, alleges public nuisance and zoning ordinance violations tied to extensive outdoor storage of equipment and other materials and to lighting practices neighbors say constitute harassment. Planning Director Laura Parker told the board the file documents “many public nuisance violations of the zoning ordinance and the public nuisance ordinance, by the county commissioners.” The board voted to affirm the staff decision on the appeal; the recorded motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Petitioners Jeffrey and Crystal Baker disputed the violations and presented testimony and photographic evidence. Crystal Baker said she and her family had been subject to what she described as repeated, false complaints and reported passing multiple inspections from state and county agencies: “We are in compliance,” she told the board. Jeffrey Baker and several friends and family members described the Bakers as long‑time residents who maintain the property and offer assistance to neighbors. Jeffrey Baker said, “We don't shine lights at them,” and asked to be left alone.

Neighbors who testified strongly urged the board to deny the appeal and allow enforcement to continue. Multiple neighbors described bright, movable construction and spotlighting that they said were used at night and directed toward houses around the pond or lake, lighting yards and interiors. Wendy Morrison said the Bakers’ lights “shine them into my house” and described being startled awake: “I woke up at 12:30 at night. I thought there was an airplane coming through my house the very first time they did this.” Other neighbors described frequent equipment operation at night, lighting that made roadways blinding for drivers, and a yard they characterized as cluttered with tarps, covered implements and dozens of small tractors and equipment.

Board discussion noted that the Bakers were given notices of violation, that initial compliance periods had elapsed, and that the code enforcement process contemplates escalating remedies. A board member summarized the staff recommendation and moved to affirm the planning director’s determination; members voted to affirm. Planning staff told the board enforcement will proceed, and Parker said court action is the next likely step if compliance is not achieved: “The next step will be court,” she said during questioning about remedies.

The hearing record contains multiple photos, videos and complaint histories submitted to the planning department. Parker told the board the notice of violation and supporting material set a 15‑day compliance window after receipt of the notice; the Bakers appealed and the compliance timeline is now in the administrative process. The board’s action affirms the staff finding and allows enforcement to proceed along the county’s administrative path.

Because the appeals process was denied, neighbors and the Bakers were encouraged by the board to pursue any remaining procedural remedies available to them in the county code and in court.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/28/2025 Board of Zoning Appeals","oneSentenceSummary","Morgan County’s Board of Zoning Appeals affirmed the planning director’s notice of violation against Jeffrey and Crystal Baker for their West Appaloosa Road property after a contested public hearing in which neighbors alleged sustained lighting harassment and excessive outdoor storage.","taxTitle","Morgan County, Indiana","taxId",63769,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6223689,"Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals approves several residential variances",0,2542000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3567605-73cefd112e5f416577e79e78fe740bd2&start=2542&end=2542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3567605-73cefd112e5f416577e79e78fe740bd2/thumbnail_2542000.jpg","/articles/6223689/Morgan-County/Indiana/Morgan-County-Board-of-Zoning-Appeals-approves-several-residential-variances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223689-2b921211b2647f23155f4b75f4af3b24/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206971&Signature=oY0ProT5SaMOGL5gIvxveoixYuZTgWH8topkn9DIdu5nO1AiiQ-eAwgCq1~Dp5GytnmSRx29bzesuWRoSHzBNmrwlBad2zJCP3cFhvmBseilQLou7zpa0ulUuet~QP4sh2loggy98Qx2scr8tFtLrTF8iyCA55VIgrtyW4iwwLv0gVCOt0AXF0YzJynrtCrjC1FQTWc-wPININLhLRkq8s1Nk0jw61OL7BgwP6QhPm-G2tjHLwc8qly95P9ZhR2fT5UvOOPiUB84xRBrqJpEkJHxMvMBYkN7ZA8XZiEfDuawWcFwh4O8JDgzW1X8FKHOnIPD2pEstCW9FATB-t6yow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals on May 28 approved a set of development‑standard variances for several residential properties across the county, moving each petition forward after brief public hearings and unanimous voice votes.

Petitioners requested exceptions to the Unified Development Ordinance to allow building configurations the applicants and staff said were necessary because of lot sizes, floodplain constraints or a destroyed structure. The board approved all four variance petitions brought up for hearing that evening.

Zane Rowe asked to build a primary residence that would cross the center line of two adjoining lots in Foxcliff Estate South at 2835 and 2855 Southampton Drive so the home could be sited outside a flood zone. Rowe told the board, “I bought 2 lots in Foxcliff … I would like to build across the lot lines and have my house kinda centered on 2 lots.” The board approved petition DDash25Dash04 after the planning director’s recommendation and a motion to approve.

Eric Levin requested a variance to add onto an existing garage that would cross a center lot line for property across the street from 231 Lake Hart in Monroe Township. Levin said the addition would store vehicles and provide an office and painting area, and that bringing the vehicles inside would reduce noise and clutter in the neighborhood. Planning staff recommended approval with a condition; the board approved petition DDash25Dash06 with the condition that “no outdoor storage of automotive parts or inoperable vehicles on either lot” be allowed.

Teresa and Billy Carter asked to reduce the side‑yard setback for an accessory structure (a pottery “she‑shed”) at 4655 Wilbur Road in Jefferson Township. Teresa Carter said she did not realize the setback when the structure was placed last fall; the board received no remonstrators and approved the variance (petition DDash25Dash07).

Bradley Ford, representing owner Karen Wetzel, asked to rebuild a house on an existing foundation at 4475 Upper Patton Park Road in Gregg Township after a fire that left the structure largely destroyed. Ford said the septic system was permitted and viable and that the rebuilt home would use the existing footprint. The board approved petition DDash25Dash08 to allow rebuilding on the foundation.

Votes at a glance

- Petition DDash25Dash04 (Zane Rowe): variance to construct a primary dwelling across the center line of two adjoining lots — approved (motion and second; voice vote).

- Petition DDash25Dash06 (Eric Levin): variance to build an addition crossing a center lot line; approval included condition prohibiting outdoor storage of automotive parts or inoperable vehicles — approved (motion and second; voice vote).

- Petition DDash25Dash07 (Teresa and Billy Carter): variance to reduce side‑yard setback for an accessory structure (pottery shed) — approved (motion and second; voice vote).

- Petition DDash25Dash08 (Bradley Ford for Karen Wetzel): variance to rebuild a house on an existing foundation that does not meet current setbacks — approved (motion and second; voice vote).

Planning director Laura Parker was present during the hearings and is recorded in the packet as the staff contact who reviewed the applications and provided findings of fact supporting approval in each case. The board closed each public hearing before voting.

The board’s next regular meeting was announced for June 23; planning staff said petitions are already filed for that date.","The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals on May 28 approved variances allowing two dwellings split across lots, a garage addition that crosses a lot line (with a no-outdoor-storage condition), a reduced setback for an accessory structure, and rebuilding a fire‑damaged house on its existing foundation.","actionData","errors"]

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Board affirms notice of violation against Bakers after hours‑long hearing over lights and outdoor storage

Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals approves several residential variances