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Houston County grants variance to allow small dwelling for Vicks family within feedlot setback
Summary
The county approved a variance to allow a 14-by-36 dwelling for Tom and Judy Vicks to be built inside the feedlot setback so the applicant's father can live on-site; staff cited floodplain and elevation constraints that made moving the structure impractical.
Houston County officials voted May 22 to grant an area variance permitting Tom and Judy Vicks to build a small dwelling within the required setback from a registered feedlot.
Applicant testimony stated the proposed 14-by-36 structure (about 530 square feet) would allow the applicant's father to live on the farm in an accessible, single-level unit. The applicant said the proposed site is about 100 feet short of the 1,500-foot setback and that relocating the dwelling to meet the setback would create elevation and floodplain complications.
Staff presented maps in the board packet showing FEMA-mapped floodplain and similar low elevations nearby that would require substantial fill to move the dwelling site out of potential flood-prone ground. Staff concluded that a minimal feedlot variance is the least burdensome solution and recommended findings in support of the variance.
The board read findings required under zoning rules and the comprehensive plan, addressing harmony with official controls, practical difficulties, special conditions unique to the property, the minimum necessary variance, impacts to locality character, and conformity with state flood-protection standards. The findings were accepted by the board.
A motion to grant the variance for the proposed dwelling inside the 1,320-foot setback was called and carried by roll call; all members present voted in favor. Board discussion noted the limited scale of the proposed dwelling and the competing constraint of floodplain avoidance.
The board closed the item and later adjourned the meeting. Direct quotes and details are drawn from the meeting transcript and staff packet materials read into the record.
