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Indianola Board approves variance to allow larger farm equipment storage at 904 East Plain View
Summary
The Indianola Board of Adjustments approved a variance April 1 to allow JJRBS LLC to build a detached accessory structure substantially larger than the 1,800 sq ft limit in section 165.04 of the Indianola zoning ordinance; the board recorded three affirmative votes.
The Indianola Board of Adjustments voted April 1 to grant a variance allowing JJRBS LLC to replace two existing accessory buildings with a single, larger detached structure at 904 East Plain View Avenue.
City planning staff told the board the request seeks relief from Indianola zoning ordinance section 165.04, which limits detached accessory structures to 1,800 square feet; the applicant is proposing roughly 5,400 square feet. Staff said the subject lot is 10.11 acres, that two existing structures of about 960 square feet each and a third at 192 square feet would be removed, and that the applicant proposes the larger building to store agricultural equipment.
"It's just to house equipment," applicant Jared Downey told the board after identifying himself and his address. "It's not going to be like a business run out of there for mechanical or…" When an official asked whether he would be running a business, Downey replied, "Correct. I sold a business and now I've got a bunch of stuff I'd like it under a roof." He also said existing buildings were in disrepair and would require extensive repair.
Staff explained the zoning code is applied on a per-lot basis and clarified that although the applicant owns an adjacent 10-acre parcel, the code applies to the 10.11-acre lot where the structure would sit. Staff also noted setbacks the project would meet (roughly 50–60 feet from property lines) and that the applicant argued the larger building was the minimum relief needed to store large farm machinery.
The board discussed the property's history, lot-size thresholds for A1 agricultural zoning and the standard that a hardship for a variance not be self-imposed. After discussion, a member moved to approve the variance as submitted; the motion was seconded and carried. The transcript records affirmative votes from a member recorded as "Soish" (see roll call text spelling) and Edwards; the board recorded three affirmative votes in total, meeting the requirement the staff said was needed to approve the request.
No formal written protests from neighbors were recorded on the notice list; staff said one neighbor called with questions and did not state a position for or against the request. The board did not record conditions beyond the variance approval on the transcript.
The board’s action allows JJRBS LLC to proceed with the proposed accessory structure subject to any permits or inspections required by city code.
