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Decatur County BZA approves detached accessory unit and grants Westport setback variance
Summary
At its May 6 meeting the Decatur County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special-exception request for a detached one-bedroom "mother-in-law" unit at 6916 N County Road 400 E and granted a variance reducing setbacks for a Westport lot to 7 feet; a nearby resident objected to the reduced setback.
The Decatur County Board of Zoning Appeals on May 6 approved two land-use requests: a special-exception permit for a detached one-bedroom accessory dwelling and a variance reducing setbacks for a Westport lot.
Chad Mazak, the petitioner for BZA2026-6, told the board his parents-in-law live with his family and said he seeks a detached one-bedroom, one-bath accessory unit at 6916 North County Road 400 East in Ifugate Township. "I'm looking my mother and father-in-law live with me at this property and my family, and we're looking to build a detached on the back of the property, a 1 bed, 1 bath mother-in-law unit," Mazak said. He told the board he had obtained preliminary approval for a new septic system and that the planned driveway will connect to an existing concrete lane that once served a barn.
Board members asked site and driveway questions and were told the accessory unit will be sited well away from the primary residence on a 15-acre parcel. After discussion the board moved and approved the special-exception request; the chair advised Mazak to coordinate building permits and inspections with the county office as construction proceeds.
The board also considered BZA2026-7, a request by William Brewer and the Westport Area Business Association to reduce the north and east property-line setbacks from 30 feet to 7 feet for a lot at 219 East Main in Westport. Brewer said the narrow edge of the lot makes development difficult and that he primarily intends to use the parcel for parking. Neighbor Don Black, who said his sister and he own the house directly behind the lot, told the board he did not want a structure or setback that close to their home: "We just so you want to come 7 feet from the property from there?" Black said.
Board members discussed downtown parcel geometry and the commission concluded the variance is appropriate for the lot configuration. The chair announced the variance request passed. The board closed its session after final comments.
Next steps: Mazak and Brewer were each told to remain in contact with the county office for permitting and implementation.
