Morgan County zoning appeals board deals with opposition to 2 requests
The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting extended to more than three hours Monday night as two of the requests on the agenda had opposition.
Citizens Energy Group received a special exception to construct a 200-foot-tall water tank on property located along State Road 67 on the Morgan/Hendricks county Line. The property is owned by the Springhill Christian Ministries Inc., which is planning to purchase about 2 acres of land. According to the company, the tank is needed to provide additional water and redundancy to the area in the event of a problem with the water line.
There was opposition to the request by a couple of area residents. The property where the tank would be located is not accessed by a dedicated road but by an easement across church property. The residents also use the easement to access their property. Complicating the matter is the church is planning to take the remainder of the property and subdivide it into three sections where homes will be constructed. The residents expressed concerns that if there was a problem and the tank fell over, it could hit their homes. They also were concerned about traffic, noise and property values if the tank was constructed.
After discussing the matter for around an hour, the board voted to approve the special exception.
Board members denied a request from Andrew Nedelsky for a use variance to operate a motorcycle repair shop at his home at 6335 E. State Road 144. Nedelsky has been operating his shop for about a year at that location. He told board members he has had no problems with his neighbors during his time there. He wanted to expand his shop into a structure he plans to build in his backyard. A former owner of the property said he had operated a motorcycle repair shop at that location for 15 years and never had a problem with his neighbors.
About a dozen residents asked the board to deny the request. They cited noise, traffic and a loss of property values as reasons for their opposition. Board members discussed the matter and, while they pointed out there were a lot of businesses in the area, Nedelsky lived in a residential area. They believed the repair shop was not appropriate for the area and denied the request.
Other business of the zoning appeals board
Board members approved a variance from a development standard for Ellen Morhart, 2820 Southampton Drive in Washington Township. Morhart owns two lots and needed to build her home across her property line.
The board approved two variances for Josh Balay. He received approval to have a reduced rear yard setback for property he owns at 7935 N. Herbemont Road in Gregg Township and a reduced front yard setback for property at 7225 W. Gore Road in Gregg Township.
Nancy Wilt received a variance to build her home across her property line. Her property is at 1450/1460 Fox Cross Drive in Washington Township
Marvin McGregor received a variance for a reduced side yard setback for property at 5560 State Road 142 in Gregg Township.
The next scheduled board meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 26, at the county administration building.
This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Morgan County zoning appeals board deals with opposition to 2 requests
