New Carlisle board approves variance for 3,200 sq. ft. pole barn after neighbor objections

The Area Board of Zoning Appeals for St. Joseph County on Oct. 8 approved a variance allowing a property owner in New Carlisle to construct a 3,200-square-foot detached accessory structure, commonly described in the hearing as a pole barn, despite opposition from nearby residents.

The petitioner, Adam Wallace of 708 South Grama Street, asked the board to permit the barn after staff said the house lot is 1.2 acres and the proposed barn would be about 1.6 times larger than the home. The town zoning standard cited by staff limits detached accessory area to the main floor area of the home; the petitioner sought relief from that standard to build a 40-by-80-foot structure where the code would otherwise limit total detached accessory area to 1,980 square feet.

The request drew multiple neighbors into the hearing. Jamie Kochekai, who lives at 704 South Bray Street immediately north of the subject property, told the board she and her husband oppose…