Zoning board approves variance to allow pole barn forward of house at 251 Macedonia Road

The Sumner County Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to approve a variance that will allow an accessory pole barn to be placed forward of the primary residence at 251 Macedonia Road.

Kathy, a staff presenter, told the board the 5.7-acre parcel in RP (rural preservation) zoning had submitted a zoning compliance application for a 40-by-60 pole barn and that the applicant had provided a stamped survey/plot plan and public notice published in the Gallatin News on February 26. Staff reported the house under construction sits approximately 219 feet from the front property line while the proposed barn would sit about 109 feet from that line; under local zoning (Chapter 11), accessory structures are not allowed in front of the primary house unless the house is at least 500 feet back.

Staff showed aerial images and photos of the building pad, a stand of trees and elevation changes on the lot, and cited Tennessee Code Annotated 13-7-109 as the state authority giving the board power to grant variances when extraordinary site conditions exist and the hardship was not caused by the owner. Staff also reviewed the eight findings of fact the board uses to evaluate variance requests and provided recommended motions to approve (contingent on required permits), deny or defer for more information.

Applicant Brandon Templeton told the board the lot "drops" sharply near the tree line and that the property includes two ponds, leaving what he described as the only feasible location for the barn near the building pad. "Due to the layout of the lot, those pictures don't do it justice," Templeton said, adding the barn's "sole purpose is to help my stepfather and my mother take care of their farm." The board asked a member question about the topography and tree impacts before moving to a decision.

A board member moved to approve the first example motion — finding the county variance standards were met and approving the variance contingent upon obtaining all required zoning, building and land-disturbance permits from the appropriate county departments. Another member seconded, members voted verbally and the motion carried unanimously. The approval is conditioned on the applicant receiving all necessary permits before construction may proceed.

The board did not list individual vote names on the record. The variance decision concludes the public hearing on this item; the applicant may now apply for the required permits as noted by staff.