The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Adjustment on July 28 approved a variance allowing Timothy Hanley to construct a 1,200-square-foot detached pole barn on a vacant 0.3-acre lot without first establishing a residence, subject to two stipulations. Staff told the board that county zoning (Section 11.02) generally requires a principal building on a property before an accessory structure is erected and that the lot sits within a subdivision.

During the hearing, Hanley told the board his residence sits on the adjacent lot he owns and that, if required to build the structure six feet behind his existing residence or to combine lots, the structure would not fit the space he needs. Hanley said, "If I have to combine them ... I would gladly do that," and that he planned to comply if necessary.

Staff recommended approval only if the structure were placed to the rear of the primary residence's front building line and the parcels were combined with adjoining property under the same ownership within two years. A board member moved to approve case A250018 with those stipulations; another seconded the motion and the board voted to grant the variance with the stated conditions. The board also noted the action will be monitored to ensure compliance with the stipulations.