Sumner County BZA hears complex ownership dispute over double-wide, new house and ADU rules

Sumner County’s Board of Zoning Appeals on an evening hearing discussed a complex case involving an 8.3-acre parcel on Willows Branch/Willsbrands Road where a new single-family house is under construction while a manufactured double-wide owned by an absentee co-owner remains on the same lot.

Planning staff told the board the parcel, identified in materials as MAP 143 (parts of 40) and referenced at 1315 C Willsbrands Road in the public notice, was the subject of a zoning compliance application that originally required the existing manufactured home be removed before a certificate of occupancy would be issued for the new house. The staff presentation said the applicants later requested the manufactured dwelling be allowed to remain as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

The dispute centers on ownership and code limits. The staff presentation said the manufactured dwelling is recorded in the name of Molly Pierce, who is not reachable, while Louie and Lauren Pierce are building the new house and listed as owners of the rest of the property. Staff noted that Sumner County’s zoning rules allow one principal dwelling on a lot smaller than 15 acres and permit only one ADU per lot. The ADU process requires a recorded instrument signed by all property owners; staff said that cannot be completed without the absentee owner’s signature.

“The ow…