Owen County BZA approves design variances for sub-acre home site and two pole barns

The Owen County Board of Zoning Appeals approved three design-variance requests during the meeting, granting property owners limited exceptions to development standards while attaching one administrative condition.

The first approval concerned a portion of a 25-acre tract on Hiden Road. An applicant sought to sell a sub-acre parcel (reported in the hearing as approximately 0.7112 acres) to a family member so the buyer could build a home. Staff and the board noted the parcel is currently zoned agricultural and that a future rezoning would be required for the smaller residential parcel; the board approved the design variance to allow the initial siting and directed staff to prepare paperwork to begin the split and survey-recording process.

The second request came from Austin Beyer of 7962 State Highway 43, who asked to place a pole barn closer than standard setbacks because the home's septic location limits where an accessory building can be sited. The board recorded that neighboring property owners, including an adjoining neighbor named Carol, had provided support. The board approved the design variance; Beyer said the barn will sit roughly 9 feet from the property line and will be used as a garage.

The third approval involved Chris and Miranda Hozapel of 8031 Franks Hill Road. The Hozapels asked to validate a pole barn that was constructed before the applicants had completed permitting for the site; the barn sits about 27 feet off the road. The board heard support from multiple neighbors and a written confirmation that the county highway department saw no sight-line problem at the location. The board approved the variance with a stipulation: the applicants must record a deed and complete an administrative parcel split so that the smaller parcel is officially established prior to finalizing the variance. Staff said an administrative split, if uncontested, carries a $100 fee and does not require a subsequent BZA hearing.

Board members discussed septic feasibility (John Reeves, referenced in the record, reviewed the Hiden Road parcel), survey and deed logistics (surveyor Dave Meyer was cited as having prepared the Hozapel survey), and the need for a rezone if owners intend to convert agricultural land to residential use in the long term. Each motion to approve was seconded and carried by the voting members present; motions were recorded as carrying by majority (voting results recorded as 3-0 for each of the approvals when the motions were taken). Staff committed to preparing the required paperwork and advising applicants about the next administrative steps, including recording surveys and applying for rezoning when appropriate.