Board of Adjustment unanimously grants variance for Mayhew Lake Township parcel with 1.87 acres

The Benton County Board of Adjustment on Feb. 19, 2026, voted unanimously to grant a variance (File #26-018) that allows a dwelling on a Mayhew Lake Township parcel with 1.87 acres of dry buildable land, short of the 2.0-acre requirement in the Agricultural District. Roxanne Achman, staff, told the board that a 2018 wetland delineation found the parcel has 1.87 acres of dry buildable land and that the parcel was split in 2002; the parcel previously had soil borings showing insufficient separation for a Type I septic system and an earlier variance allowed an alternative septic system on a related parcel.

The applicant, Larry Jarnigo, participated virtually and landowner Matt Heinen attended in person. Heinen said "fill was brought in when the road was done," and Jarnigo acknowledged understanding the two-acre requirement while noting nearby homes and that the request would allow keeping a small area in agricultural use. The board reviewed criteria in Section 11.5 of the Development Code and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, finding unanimously that single-family dwellings are a permitted use, the variance is in harmony with official controls and the comprehensive plan, and that practical difficulties exist because the parcel’s condition predates the current owner and wetland delineation. Chad Erdmann moved to accept the findings and conditions and grant File #26-018; Kevin Renslow seconded and the motion carried. The landowner was handed a copy of the findings and decision; the applicant will be emailed the documents.