BZA denies variance to keep unpermitted carport and multiple accessory buildings at Connor Avenue property

The Pataskala City Board of Zoning Appeals denied a variance request (VA-24-027) on Jan. 14 that would have increased the allowable total accessory-building square footage and number of accessory buildings at 100 Connor Avenue SW.

Planning staff reported the lot already contains multiple accessory structures: a 1,500-square-foot pole barn, a 400-square-foot canopy, a 144-square-foot shed, and a recently constructed 360-square-foot carport that was built without a permit. Under the code the maximum accessory-building area for a lot this size is 840 square feet and the maximum number of accessory buildings is two. Staff said the lot is in violation of the code for previous issues dating to 2018, including outdoor storage and accumulation of refuse; court proceedings were ongoing regarding recent permit violations.

Property owner David W. Pfeger said he had worked to clean up the property and described the carport as a metal structure for covered storage; he said some items stored there were household supplies and maintenance materials. Pfeger told the board he had disposal receipts documenting cleanup efforts. Board members cited the long-running violation history and concern about setting a precedent if the board approved additional permanent accessory structures on a lot with repeated enforcement problems.

After deliberation the board voted to deny VA-24-027. Staff told the property owner that staff would follow up on next steps, including possible enforcement and requirements to remedy unpermitted construction.