The Boone County Board of Zoning Appeals on Oct. 22 approved a variance allowing temporary residential occupancy of a camper on a property while a new home is built.

The board approved Variance 25JA-14-179 for petitioners and property owners James and Amy Nolting to occupy a camper during construction of their new home. Staff told the board the permit would be time-limited and depend on health and utility approvals.

The petition was read into the record by Deborah Lazier, APC executive director, who summarized staff and technical-advisory comments. The health department had no issue with temporary camper occupancy but required the camper be at least 10 feet from the septic system. Lazier also read staff conditions, including the permit length and utility requirements. "The permit is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance or until certificate of occupancy is issued for the permanent home, whichever comes first," she said.

Lazier told the board the camper must include operational bathroom and shower facilities, be connected to the property’s septic and water systems, and receive health-department approval for the unit and utility connections; the camper must be disconnected and removed from septic connections upon issuance of the permanent home’s certificate of occupancy.

Petitioner James Nolting stated the new house would be built on the same footprint as the demolished primary residence and confirmed plans to begin construction within about a year. No members of the public spoke for or against the petition, and the board closed the public comment period before deliberation.

Board members raised no substantive objections. A board member recommended approval "as presented," the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote with all answering aye.

The variance includes standard conditions from staff and the technical-advisory committee: compliance with all technical comments, health-department approval of the camper and connections, a minimum 10-foot separation from the septic system, and termination of camper occupancy upon issuance of the permanent certificate of occupancy.

The petitioner confirmed the camper will be sited in the southeast corner of the property, per the site plan submitted to staff.

The board did not specify a recorded roll-call tally in the meeting minutes; approval was taken by voice vote.