Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals approves several residential variances

The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals on May 28 approved a set of development‑standard variances for several residential properties across the county, moving each petition forward after brief public hearings and unanimous voice votes.

Petitioners requested exceptions to the Unified Development Ordinance to allow building configurations the applicants and staff said were necessary because of lot sizes, floodplain constraints or a destroyed structure. The board approved all four variance petitions brought up for hearing that evening.

Zane Rowe asked to build a primary residence that would cross the center line of two adjoining lots in Foxcliff Estate South at 2835 and 2855 Southampton Drive so the home could be sited outside a flood zone. Rowe told the board, “I bought 2 lots in Foxcliff … I would like to build across the lot lines and have my house kinda centered on 2 lots.” The board approved petition DDash25Dash04 after the planning director’s recommendation and a motion to approve.

Eric Levin requested a variance to add onto an existing garage that would cross a center lot line for property across the street from 231 Lake Hart in Monroe Township. Levin said the addition would store vehicles and provide an office and painting area, and that bringing the vehicles inside would reduce noise and clutter in the neighborhood. Planning staff recommended approval with a condition; the board approved petition DDash25Dash06 with the condition that “no outdoor storage of automotive parts or inoperable vehicles on either lot” be allowed.

Teresa and Billy Carter asked to reduce the side‑yard setback for an accessory structure (a pottery “she‑shed”) at 4655 Wilbur Road in Jefferson Township. Teresa Carter said she did not realize the setback when the structure was placed last fall; the board received no remonstrators and approved the variance (petition DDash25Dash07).

Bradley Ford, representing owner Karen Wetzel, asked to rebuild a house on an existing foundation at 4475 Upper Patton Park Road in Gregg Township after a fire that left the structure largely destroyed. Ford said the septic system was permitted and viable and that the rebuilt home would use the existing footprint. The board approved petition DDash25Dash08 to allow rebuilding on the foundation.

Votes at a glance

- Petition DDash25Dash04 (Zane Rowe): variance to construct a primary dwelling across the center line of two adjoining lots — approved (motion and second; voice vote).

- Petition DDash25Dash06 (Eric Levin): variance to build an addition crossing a center lot line; approval included condition prohibiting outdoor storage of automotive parts or inoperable vehicles — approved (motion and second; voice vote).

- Petition DDash25Dash07 (Teresa and Billy Carter): variance to reduce side‑yard setback for an accessory structure (pottery shed) — approved (motion and second; voice vote).

- Petition DDash25Dash08 (Bradley Ford for Karen Wetzel): variance to rebuild a house on an existing foundation that does not meet current setbacks — approved (motion and second; voice vote).

Planning director Laura Parker was present during the hearings and is recorded in the packet as the staff contact who reviewed the applications and provided findings of fact supporting approval in each case. The board closed each public hearing before voting.

The board’s next regular meeting was announced for June 23; planning staff said petitions are already filed for that date.