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Board denies Perkeys' request for taller barn, saying hardship not shown
Summary
Jeff and Sarah Perkey sought a variance to raise an accessory barn to 33 feet in an AR‑2A zone; the board denied the request 4–1, finding the need to store equipment and design cohesion did not satisfy the legal hardship standard tied to land characteristics.
The Metro Nashville Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request from Jeff and Sarah Perkey to exceed the 24‑foot height limit for a detached accessory structure in the AR‑2A zone.
Staff told the board the proposed barn would be about 33 feet tall—roughly nine feet over the 24‑foot limit—and stressed that because the Perkeys do not currently farm, they are not entitled to an agricultural exemption that would remove height restrictions. Jeff Perkey said the taller sidewalls and steep roof pitch were chosen to harmonize with the main house and to store tractors and implements used to maintain the private driveway; he said the loft and higher eaves were functional requirements to accommodate equipment.
Board members acknowledged the practical need for storage and complimented the design but repeatedly noted the zoning hardship standard requires a unique condition of the land, not owner preference. One member said that planting corn or otherwise changing to bona fide agricultural use could change the zoning treatment, but as presented the application did not show the necessary land‑based hardship.
A motion to deny the variance carried on a recorded count of 4 in favor, 1 opposed. The decision closes the Perkeys’ immediate path to build the proposed 33‑foot barn without redesign, a permit for agricultural use, or an alternate form of relief.
