BZA approves special exception

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

 ‘ There was a full house at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Tuesday, April 24. They were there because of the application by Larry and Joyce Volz to permit the 92 additional campsites at the Delaware Campground. But, if they expected to speak, they went away disappointed.

BZA President Maureen Sheets told the audience the public hearing on the application was held last month and there would be no more public comment. The application had been tabled awaiting septic approval. Since septic approval had been received, a motion was made by Roger Lang to approve the special exception. The vote was 4 to 1 in favor. The dissenting vote came from Denessa Benkie.
It was explained that once the sewer installation was complete it would be inspected by the Board of Health. If they feel it is not installed satisfactorily, the Board of Health will close the facility until they are satisfied.

Kenneth C. Lewis applied for a variance from the required acreage for a private landing strip from 80 acres to 55 acres. Jeff French, surveyor, spoke on behalf of Lewis. The property is located between county roads 700N and 750N along County Road 600E.

French explained that Lewis wanted to take 7 1/2 acres off the main acreage to create a building site. Although the land is adjacent to the landing strip, any home built on the site would have to be at least 200' from the strip.

The board had some safety concerns but voted 4 to 1 to approve the application. The dissenting vote came from Maureen Sheets.

Gary Williams applied for a variance on a remainder lot from 345' to 293'. When he took off a two acre tract to give to his son to build on the remainder he was 52' short of requirements. The board voted 5-0 to approve his request. The property is located on County Road 300N in Osgood.

The final agenda item was a request by Douglas and Regina West who applied for a variance to permit construction of a pole barn on their property at 200S Co. Rd. 174W in Versailles. The board approved the application 5-0.

All five board members were present: Maureen Sheets, Roger Lang, Andy Scholle, Michael Baker and Denessa Benkie. Attorney John Ertel and Planning Director Tad Brinson were present to advise the board. The next regular meeting of the Ripley County Board of Appeals will be on May 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Room of the Ripley County Courthouse Annex.