The Howard County Board of Zoning Appeals voted Thursday to grant a variance that will allow a parcel at 9156 West 200 South to be divided into two smaller lots.

The petitioner, Steven Rhodes, asked the board to approve a variance from the countys minimum lot-area requirement so the property can be split into a 0.69-acre parcel and a 0.86-acre parcel. "The petitioner's practical difficulty lies in the fact that he simply does not have enough land for two lots," Rhodes told the board.

Staff read findings recommending approval, saying "the proposed reduced lot sizes will not harm the public health, safety, morals, or general welfare of the community" and that "the reduced sizes for the two lots will not have an impact on the adjacent area or negatively impact neighboring property owners." The staff report also noted that any septic systems must meet standards set by the health department.

After staff presentation there were no questions from commissioners and no members of the public asked to speak on the case. A motion to approve the variance was made and seconded; the board voted by voice and the motion carried.

The approval applies to the specific request before the board. The staff findings recorded that a strict application of the zoning ordinance would create a practical difficulty for the petitioner and that the situation was not self-imposed, language the board cited when voting. The record shows the board treated the case as a standard variance request with the requirement that septic systems comply with the local health department regulations.

The board president closed the item and moved on to the next case.