Zoning Hearing Officer Robert Cartel recommended April 2, 2025, that the County Development Committee approve a conditional use allowing a Milton Township property owner identified as Friedman to increase the total permitted area for detached accessory buildings from 1,000 square feet to approximately 1,381 square feet.

Cartel said he had reviewed the hearing transcript and his records for the Friedman case and that his recommendation would be to approve the conditional use “subject to all of our standard conditions at a 10 year time limit,” including a specific condition that no business be operated from the home and that use of the shed be limited to residential uses as testified at the hearing. Cartel said he would sign the recommendation and transmit the matter to the County Development Committee for final action.

The hearing officer also said he was prepared to adopt and approve written minutes for two March 19, 2025, meetings (the hearing and the recommendation meeting). Cartel announced there were no other recommendation cases, no old business and no new business on the April 2 agenda.

Cartel noted that Friedman was present on the call; when Cartel asked whether Friedman was attending to observe, Friedman said yes.

The Zoning Hearing Officer’s recommendation is advisory: the County Development Committee will consider the recommendation and any additional materials before making a final decision. The record shows the approved recommendation will include a 10-year time limit and the prohibition on business activity from the residence as conditions for the expanded accessory building area.