Morgan Township BZA says February hearing tainted; applicants told to reapply or pursue other remedies

Morgan Township's Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) concluded it could not decide on an area-variance application that the board first heard Feb. 20, citing concerns that board members' actions and outside involvement tainted the process.

The board's presiding member during the meeting, Jeff (BZA member, presiding tonight), said legal staff and the prosecutor's office advised the board that individual site visits and a relationship between a board member and the applicants had "contaminated the whole process." "No variance can be rendered due to the actions of the board," Jeff said, explaining that a reapplication would be required to restore a hearing that is beyond reproach.

The Whites, the homeowners who sought the variance, told the board they had provided the documents the board requested and had gathered additional drainage information. "We've provided all of that to you. We've, you know, got information here to go above and beyond and other things we're gonna propose tonight to go above and beyond for the drainage," Mrs. White said.

Why it matters: The BZA is the local body that determines whether property owners can receive relief from zoning setbacks by showing practical hardship. Board…