Appeals board approves Morris family variance to allow reduced side setback at Etheridge Road

The Jones County Board of Appeals granted a variance request from Martin and Minnie Morris to allow a reduced side building setback on a 72.67-acre AG‑1 property at 722 Etheridge Road. The decision was made as a final action by the Appeals Board at the meeting.

Applicant Martin Morris told the board the family had recently purchased the adjacent 704 Etheridge parcel but discovered a title defect tied to a tax sale that would require superior-court action to clear. He said legal remedies could take “6 months” to “2 plus years” and cost an estimated range the lawyers gave of about $2,500 to $15,000. Because his wife is 71 and he is 65, the couple said they did not want to wait for litigation and instead plan to build on the 722 parcel and requested a reduced side setback to place the house close to the property line for topographical and walkout-pond reasons.

The board moved to approve the variance and, following a second and a voice vote, the presiding officer said the variance was granted and that this board’s decision is final tonight.

The applicant thanked the board after the approval. The record shows the board considered the likelihood of public detriment and the site’s seclusion in its acceptance of the request; no opposition speakers appeared for this item.