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BZA denies La Paz-area home-based construction business, grants owner 60 days to remove equipment
Summary
The board denied a renewed special-use permit for a construction business parked at a lakefront residential property and ordered the owner to remove equipment within 60 days; the board said the use was inconsistent with lake-residential development standards and neighbors' complaints about noise, lights and traffic weighed against approval.
The Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 11 denied a request to renew a home-based business permit that would allow construction equipment and vehicles to be parked and stored at a lakeside residence in a Lake Residential (L-1) zoning district. The permit had expired in November 2024.
Planning staff and the technical review committee recommended denial, citing multiple concerns: a residential street not built for heavy trucks, noise and early-morning disturbances, high-intensity vehicle parking that could block visibility and pedestrian access, storm-water and sewer capacity issues, and impacts to neighborhood character and property values.
Neighbors gave multiple statements and submitted letters saying equipment and activity had created an “eyesore,” bright lights, and early-morning disturbance. Several asked that the BZA deny the renewed special-use request. In a series of letters read into the record residents described vehicles idling with headlights on, burning of debris and visible trash, and equipment parked in yard areas.
The owner, Tony Richard, told the board he still intended to build a garage and had planned to store equipment inside once the structure was finished. "I still wanna build the building and either store it inside or behind so nobody sees it," Richard said during the hearing. He told the board he had experienced financial and contractor setbacks that prevented construction within the prior year.
After discussion the board made a motion to deny the special-use permit request but to waive existing fines to date and to give Richard 60 days to remove equipment and clean up the site before fines would be reactivated. The motion passed on a roll-call vote.
County staff will prepare a written denial and a notice describing the 60‑day compliance period and the process for reapplying or requesting further administrative relief.
