Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Accessory Building Limit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board grants variance allowing second accessory structure on pair of Thunderbird Drive lots in New Carlisle
Summary
The Area Board of Zoning Appeals voted to allow William and Julie Bartmoss to place a second detached accessory structure on adjoining lots in New Carlisle, finding the combined lots function as a single zoning lot and that setbacks and size limits were met.
The St. Joseph County Area Board of Zoning Appeals on May 14 granted a variance allowing William and Julie Bartmoss to place a second detached accessory building on combined lots at 709 and 711 Thunderbird Drive in the town of New Carlisle, where a town ordinance generally limits most lots to a single detached accessory structure.
Area Planning Commission staff member Fariel Sharif told the board that the two adjacent lots are in common ownership and can be treated as one zoning lot; staff found the petition met state law criteria, met accessory structure setbacks, and recommended approval. Sharif summarized the ordinance text on the record: “The total number of detached accessory buildings on a lot … shall not exceed 1 accessory building provided, however, a storage shed with a total floor area of 120 square feet or less shall not count as an accessory building for purposes of this division.”
Petitioner William Bartmoss said the spare lot already has a stone pad where a travel trailer had been parked and that the existing 16-by-16 shed houses lawn equipment; the new structure would primarily shelter a recently purchased golf cart. Bartmoss told the board the proposed structure would be nonpermanent and set on the existing pad. He also said the pad contains an electric service post for power.
After public comment produced no speakers for or against the petition, board member Tom Byers moved to approve the variance “as requested and as outlined in the staff report,” and Donnie Ritzma seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded with four members voting in favor and one against: Lance Rausch, Donnie Ritzma, Tom Byers and Mr. Schaeffer voted yes; Joe Velman voted no. The board’s motion carried and the board stated it would issue written findings of fact.
The record lists the petition as “petition number 2, 709 and 711 Thunderbird Drive.” Staff noted that if the lots were to be sold separately in the future, an accessory-without-primary violation could occur under the town ordinance and would then be a zoning enforcement matter.
