The Clinton County Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously Tuesday night to grant three applications passed by board members Grant Mohler, Stacy Pettigo and Seth Hettmansperger. Members Andrew Bailey and Chester Bankes were absent. The requests ranged from a multigenerational housing accommodation in rural Owen Township to a deteriorating farmhouse replacement in Sugar Creek Township and a porch and sunroom addition on a corner lot in Mulberry.
Accessory Apartment for Aging Parent
George and Theresa Turner, who live on county road 300 West, requested a special exception to build a detached accessory apartment on their 1.851-acre agriculturally zoned property. County planning staff member Liz Stitzel told the board the request stemmed from a family need. The petitioners are asking for a special exemption to build an accessory structure for 2 family members. Staff recommended approval after confirming that the site could support a separate septic system for the unit, and that the apartment not be split onto a separate lot without going through subdivision review. The board chair voiced no objections. “I think there’s plenty of room there for this, and especially with the septic going through, I see no problems at all,” the chair said before the motion passed.
Replacement Home Near Sugar Creek Township Road
The board also approved a setback variance for petitioner Ricky Snodgrass, who plans to demolish an aging, legally nonconforming house on East Pickard Road in Sugar Creek Township and build a replacement dwelling. The existing structure sits just 8 feet from the road right-of-way; ordinance requires 50 feet. Snodgrass’s new home would sit 35 feet back — closer than required but a significant improvement over the current setback. Liz Stitzel explained that the lot’s size, the angled roadway and the location needed for a new septic system left no better placement option. Staff recommended, and the board agreed, that the old house must be fully removed and the lot graded before a certificate of occupancy is issued for the new home.
Porch, Sunroom Additions in Mulberry
The final approval went to John Smith of Mulberry, who sought two variances: a 7-by-7-foot roof extension over his front porch, set 12 feet from the street right-of-way instead of the required 15, and a 12-by-15-foot rear sunroom addition 14 feet from the north property line instead of the required 25. Staff noted the Mulberry Town Council had already reviewed and unanimously supported the project.
The board’s next meeting is set for September 22nd.