Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Variances topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kosciusko County zoning hearing approves most variances, continues two items to June 8
Summary
At a Kosciusko County zoning hearing, officials approved a series of variances and exceptions — including accessory buildings, decks and small home businesses — and continued two cases (one building setback and one missing‑notice case) to June 8 for additional review.
A Kosciusko County zoning hearing considered more than a dozen variance and exception petitions and approved most requests while continuing two items for follow-up.
The hearing opened with procedural instructions from the chair, who reminded applicants to state their names at the microphone and warned that permits might not be available to pull until later in the day. Staff then read each petition and presented site photos and setbacks for board review.
Several residential variances were approved after brief presentations by applicants and limited public comment. Property owner Mike Hyman described two petitions that would allow a second residence on one lot and a two‑story garage located 20.1 feet from the roadway; he told the board the new garage will move about 14 feet farther from the road than the previous structure, saying, "we're actually gaining about 14 foot further from the road than we currently are." The board approved the requests.
A petition to replace a lakeside deck and an application to extend a small screened porch closer to a channel were approved after staff noted flood‑development permits are required for any repairs or renovations in floodprone areas. On the lakeside home matter, a neighbor urged caution about insurance and views; the board approved the addition while emphasizing permit requirements.
At least two commercial or quasi‑industrial requests passed. Owners seeking to add a fourth silo and a designated storage yard at an aggregate operation said the new structures are in line with existing silos and largely out of sight; the board approved after requiring the applicants to obtain after‑the‑fact permits. A separate request to add two warehouse buildings that match earlier-approved units was also approved.
The panel approved several accessory‑building requests (including Michael Sams' larger pole barn and an accessory building that had encroachment issues) and allowed a small, home‑based dog‑grooming business in an ag district under the applicant’s assurance that there would be "no boarding" and only one or two dogs at a time.
Not all items moved forward. The board continued a variance for an accessory building proposed by Rhonda Doss so the owner and contractor could explore moving the structure back or reducing its size; the chair said, "I'll tell you what, I'll continue it for 30 days," and set the matter for the June 8 agenda. Staff also noted a separate case for Clara Ramirez lacked the required affidavit of notice and continued that petition to June 8.
On a new‑build lakeside house, the board approved the residence location but required the air‑conditioning unit be relocated to meet the 10‑foot side setback after neighbors raised concerns about fire insurance and sight‑line effects.
Several applicants who spoke emphasized practical constraints: Ryan Foy, whose island property is accessible only by boat, said the two small sheds are for camping gear and safety supplies and that the owners moved the structures to meet setbacks; the board approved that exception while reminding the applicants to check flood‑zone maps and obtain permits if needed.
The meeting closed after staff said the Clara Ramirez petition would be continued for proper notice. The chair then adjourned the hearing.
Votes at a glance - Beth Crater (deck, variance 2026 E5): approved (voice) - Michael Hyman (second residence & garage, variances 202686 & 202687): approved (voice) - Brandon Brown (silos/storage, exception & variance): approved; after‑the‑fact permits required - Rhonda Doss (accessory building, variance 2694): continued 30 days to June 8 for rework/options - Willis & Conley Grama (deck, variance 202696): approved (voice) - Dog‑grooming home business (exception 202650): approved (no boarding; 1–2 dogs at a time) - Michael Sams (oversized accessory building & encroachment, exceptions/variances): approved (voice) - James Reinter (additional warehouse buildings, exception 202652): approved (voice) - Jill Newby (water‑edge addition): approved; AC unit to meet 10‑foot side setback - Ryan Foy (sheds on island, exception): approved; permits/flood checks required - Sam Brown (campground age‑restriction waiver, exception 2655): approved - Greg Byrd (new residence & AC setback, variance 256109): approved with condition (AC relocated to 10‑foot setback) - Doug Elliott (residence on commercially zoned parcel): approved with 60‑day condition to secure rezoning - Moises Sanchez (home‑occupation construction office): approved with conditions (no materials stored on site; screening and no chickens in residential zone) - Clara Ramirez: continued to June 8 (missing affidavit)
What's next Rhonda Doss' accessory‑building petition and the Clara Ramirez case were continued to the board's next session on June 8 for further review or completion of notice requirements. Applicants who received approvals were reminded to file permits and comply with flood‑development or other local requirements where applicable.
