Morgan County board approves variance to allow pole barn 4 feet from side property line

The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals on Dec. 22 approved a development-standards variance allowing a resident to build a pole barn about 4 feet from his side property line.

Applicant Nathan Ralph, who gave his address as 70787 West Bunker Hill Road in Monroe Township, told the board he wants the structure "both as a pool barn to store various household stuff in my yard implements and stuff, as well as a garage." Ralph said physical site constraints — including a well and an unlevel yard where septic infrastructure lies — make placing the barn farther back impractical.

Staff summarized the three findings of fact required for a variance under the county’s ordinance, reciting the petitioner’s written statements that the barn would not harm public health or safety, would not substantially reduce the use or value of adjacent properties, and that strict application of the ordinance would create practical difficulties. The staff report said the health department "has no objections," the county surveyor "made no comment," and staff recommended approval to reduce the side-yard setback to 4 feet.

Board members asked about proximity to neighbors and trees and whether the structure would be used commercially. Ralph said the nearest bordering neighbor, Richard McClure, lives about 100 yards back on his property and would not be affected, and that the pole barn would be for personal vehicle maintenance and storage, not a business. Ralph told the board he had contracted Graeber Post Buildings for construction and had architectural drawings prepared.

During deliberation a board member moved to approve petition DDash25Dash20 "with all findings of fact being found true with the reason stated by the petitioner and the reason stated in the staff report." Mr. Krone seconded the motion. The board approved the petition by voice vote; the chair announced the petition approved.

In other business, staff reported no BZA attorney update. Planning staff reminded the board that one application has been carried over for 60 days and that the planning director will recuse from that future application because it involves her former employer. The board was also reminded that elections for chair, vice chair and secretary will be held at next month’s meeting.

The board adjourned after a motion to end the meeting was seconded and approved by voice vote.