Vigo County Board of Zoning Appeals hears objections to variance request for pole barn on South Jean Street

The Vigo County Board of Zoning Appeals on a September meeting heard a request from property owner Robert Hopingarner for two variances affecting a pole barn at 1639 East Davis Drive (South Jean Street) in Terre Haute. Hopingarner asked for a variance from the 25-foot front-yard setback and for permission to allow an accessory structure to remain on a lot without a primary single-family dwelling; staff described a need for a 0-foot front-yard setback because a historic pole barn sits in the county right-of-way.

The variances were the only new-business item on the agenda. Staff told the board the pole barn dates to 1946, that a recent survey showed conflicting right-of-way widths (the survey showed a 30-foot right-of-way while county records show 60 feet), and that county engineering staff advised the petitioner to request that the county commissioners vacate the portion of right-of-way up to the front edge of the building. Planning staff recommended approval of the variances on the…