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Reno County BZA approves special exception allowing Troyers to add 30x32 accessory building
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Summary
The Reno County Board of Zoning Appeals on its April 2026 agenda approved case 2026-03, permitting John and Karen Troyer to construct a 30-by-32-foot accessory building that brings total accessory area on their R-1 property at 2909 West 17th Avenue to 2,292 sq ft, exceeding the 2,000 sq ft limit for parcels two acres or smaller. Approval included three staff conditions limiting use and size.
At its April 2026 meeting, the Reno County Board of Zoning Appeals approved case 2026-03, allowing John and Karen Troyer to add a 30-by-32-foot residential accessory building at 2909 West 17th Avenue. The addition brings the property's total accessory building area to 2,292 square feet, exceeding the county's 2,000-square-foot limit for parcels of two acres or less.
The board opened the public hearing after the chair summarized the BZA fact-finding procedure and the Troyers presented their need. Karen Troyer said the two-person household owns four vehicles and wants additional enclosed storage so the couple does not have to repeatedly move vehicles to accommodate woodworking and other projects. "This would be John," she said when introducing her husband; she also explained the new building would reduce daily vehicle shuffling.
County planner Mark Vonachin told the board the property is zoned R-1 (rural residential) and that existing accessory structures (a 30-by-38 shop and a 12-by-16 shed) combined with the proposed building total 2,292 square feet. He said environmental staff reviewed the proposed reserve septic lateral area and approved the new location. Vonachin said staff recommended approval subject to three conditions: limit the approval to the 30-by-32 building (2,292 sq ft total), restrict the accessory building to noncommercial and nonindustrial uses, and prohibit use as a single-family dwelling except in compliance with zoning regulations.
Board members asked practical questions about vehicle access and whether construction would require crossing an adjacent field. The applicant said she had spoken with a neighbor, Alan Epstein (who manages affairs for his mother), about temporary access to the field edge during construction and that Epstein indicated that limited access would be acceptable. Staff warned the applicant to avoid driving over septic lateral fields and noted the applicant may need to remove part of a tree row or otherwise identify lateral-field limits to provide safe access.
A board member moved to approve the special exception as recommended by staff; the chair seconded. Staff called the roll and members answered in the affirmative; the chair declared the motion approved and remarked informally, "Build that building." The approval imposes the staff-recommended conditions and is effective per the board's decision procedures (decisions may be appealed to district court within 30 days).
The Troyers said the new building will be a Morton building, matching the color and general appearance of their existing shop, and will be professionally installed. The record showed no written objections from surrounding property owners.
The BZA proceeded to other business after the vote, including scheduling a training session for May 14. The meeting adjourned thereafter.
