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BZA unanimously approves 6‑ft side‑setback for garage at 11 W. Hickory Drive
Summary
The Hancock County Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to allow a six‑foot side‑yard setback for a 30×36 accessory garage at 11 West Hickory Drive, subject to standard conditions including permit deadlines, gutters directed away from neighbors and a stake survey.
The Hancock County Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously Feb. 26 to grant a variance reducing the side‑yard setback from 15 feet to 6 feet at 11 West Hickory Drive to allow construction of an accessory garage.
Maria, planning staff, told the board the request would allow the petitioner to use an existing concrete pad and that the health department limited the structure to 30 by 36 feet to avoid an on‑site septic field. She said permitting history shows approvals from the surveyor, health, building and planning departments before the petitioner later revised the garage to the smaller size that now requires a variance.
The variance will apply only to the garage and carry with the property, Maria said. Staff recommended approval with standard conditions including that a building permit be obtained within 12 months, an occupancy permit be obtained within 12 months of the building permit, the structure conform to the submitted site plan and elevations, roof gutters and downspouts be directed away from the neighboring property, the structure not exceed height limits, and a stake survey remain in place until final inspection.
KL Carlson, the petitioner’s representative, testified the structure was downsized because of the septic field and that the proposed placement relies on an existing concrete foundation. “We’re just trying to get the new garage for our customer up here about six foot from the property line,” Carlson said, and added the neighbor had indicated support.
Board members asked whether a driveway would be added and whether the slab was an existing foundation; Carlson confirmed the slab appears to be an existing foundation and that no driveway or home business is planned. The board added an explicit condition limiting the structure to personal use only.
A motion to adopt staff recommendations including the new personal‑use condition passed by voice vote and was recorded as variance 26‑2654, approved 3–0. The chair advised the petitioner to coordinate building‑permit steps with the planning office.
The approval is conditioned on the listed permits and the site plan presented to the board; if permits are not obtained within the stated deadlines the variance will expire.
