Whitley County panel approves setback variances for storage building at 1960 East Bear Road

On March 24, 2026 the Whitley County Board of Zoning Appeals approved development-standards variances that let property owner John Kissinger construct a 60-by-76-foot storage building at 1960 East Bear Road in the Tri Lakes area.

Nathan, the county planner, told the board the property is lot 10 and part of lot 11 of Baker’s addition (platted in 1956) and that the petitioner seeks variances because of an adjacent access/drive complication that likely cannot be vacated without a court quiet-title action. Staff said the proposal moves the building to provide vehicle and trailer maneuvering: the rear setback would be 10 feet (code: 15 feet); the south side setback 4 feet (code: 5 feet); the front setback would be nearly 54 feet (code: 35 feet).

“I'm just looking to try to build a bigger storage building,” petitioner John Kissinger said, describing the need to store a fifth-wheel camper, a boat and a car hauler. Staff told the board there is sufficient room for fire safety and that the rear yard variance backs up to a large farm field, which reduces likely impacts to neighboring property values or use.

No members of the public spoke in opposition. Chair opened the board’s deliberation; Doug Wright moved to approve the variances and Kim Kurt Cesler seconded. The motion passed by voice/hand vote with all board members present signaling in favor.

The approval is conditioned on the standard requirements in the staff report and does not resolve the property-access legal question; staff noted the petitioner may need to pursue quiet-title or other legal remedies to obtain control of the adjacent drive before any larger site changes are finalized.