Board approves 30-foot setback variance to allow manufactured home placement on Hamilton property

The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a 30-foot setback variance to allow a new manufactured home to be placed on the Hamilton property, after hearing from the applicants and reviewing site constraints.

The applicants told the board they intend to place a new manufactured home on a lot currently occupied by an older house that will be demolished once the new unit is set. As the applicant said, "We're looking to put a new manufactured home on our property. It's basically 2 lots of property. We have an existing home, which will be demolished." The applicants asked for a 30-foot variance to allow adequate space for a septic system and a backyard area. Board members examined a site diagram showing the proposed home location, garage and shipping containers, and discussed driveway alignment, visibility near a curve and rock ledges on the parcel.

Members asked the applicant to confirm whether the record shows the property as one deed or two parcels; the applicant said the deed records one parcel while GIS depicts two parts. The board required confirmation of the deed recording and discussed how the township/auditor/GIS recording can show splits that differ from deed text.

Before voting, the Clerk and the Chair discussed procedural conditions and timeframes under the Unified Development Ordinance, including securing or demolishing the old house per UDO requirements after placement of the new home. A committee member moved to accept the variance "with terms of the term that the new house is according to the UDO," the motion was seconded, and the board voted to approve the variance. Staff will follow up with the applicants on the timeframe and permit steps.