Board approves variance to split farmhouse from 20-acre Dogwood Road property

The Area Board of Zoning Appeals voted Oct. 9 to grant Leydig Custom Services a variance to split a farmhouse from an approximately 20-acre parcel at the southwest corner of Riley and Dogwood Road. The board approved the petition after staff said the proposed 2.3-acre lot would not create an additional buildable lot in the agricultural district.

Carl Brown of Area Plan Commission staff recommended approval, telling the board that the split "will not create an additional buildable lot in the agricultural district by right" and that the use and value of the area would remain the same. Brown said the change would not increase density and that the proposal preserves the tilled field by keeping it as a larger outlot.

Terry Lang, representing the petitioner, told the board the farmhouse would be separated from the farm and that "the balance of the property will continue to be farmed," consistent with staff’s assessment. No members of the public spoke for or against the petition at the meeting.

Julie Lauch moved to approve the variance with the conditions recommended by staff; Donnie Ritzmo seconded. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from the members present and the board granted the variance and said it will issue written findings of fact.

The board’s action allows the house to be deeded separately while retaining the majority of the parcel in agricultural use. No specific mitigation, additional conditions, or appeals were announced at the meeting.