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Board approves variance for oversized accessory structure at Campbell Road property
Summary
The Harrison Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing a 1,800 sq ft accessory building at John Wilhelm’s Campbell Road property, on condition the structure be elevated to meet the 100‑year flood‑plain elevation and pass building‑department inspection.
The Harrison Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a variance for Case No. 2026‑041 that allows a property owner to build an 1,800‑square‑foot accessory structure at a Campbell Road site, the board said. The approval was conditional on the structure being built to meet the 100‑year flood‑plain elevation and on final inspection by the Harrison Building Department.
John Wilhelm, the applicant, told the board he has not yet had a survey but expects his site elevation is close to the required height. He said his family has owned the property for decades and that his house “stayed dry by 8 inches” during the referenced high water, adding he intends the new building to be above the floodplain. “This is my home. It’s my property. It’s my equipment that’s going in this building,” Wilhelm said while describing valuable vehicles and equipment he plans to store.
Staff explained the property sits in the floodway along the Whitewater River and noted an existing elevated house of about 1,880 square feet on the lot. City ordinance 1147.06(a)(3) (as cited in the meeting) prohibits accessory structures larger than 900 square feet; the requested 1,800‑square‑foot pole building is twice that limit, so the applicant sought a variance.
Board members said they did not object to the size so long as the building is raised or otherwise designed to allow hydrostatic flow and meet FEMA floodplain requirements. Gordon (the board’s attendance/recording staff) reiterated that any structure in the floodway must meet FEMA regulations and pass local inspection. A motion to approve the variance with the stipulation that the structure’s floor elevation be above the 100‑year flood plain was made by Mister Bob Cox and seconded by Mister Berger. The roll‑call vote recorded Wilson Montgomery, Steve Burger, Sonny/Sonny Ross, Bob Cox and Joe Combs each voting “Yay,” and the motion carried.
The board indicated the Harrison Building Department will verify elevation and compliance as part of the permitting and inspection process. No fines, permit fees, or specific inspection deadlines were discussed at the meeting.
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