BZA grants nine‑foot side‑yard variance to let homeowner place shed on pre‑1973 lot

The Wilson County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance to allow a shed and to recognize an existing porch that sits 11 feet from the south property line at 158 Karen Drive (case 4329). The variance reduces the south side‑yard setback by nine feet from the 20‑foot requirement, enabling placement of the proposed accessory structure so that it meets county setbacks.

Staff told the board the lot was created and developed in the 1970s and that tax records list the house as built in 1976. Because the lot is an older lot of record, staff recommended approval of the variance for the existing nonconforming porch.

The applicant, Lynn Baer, told the board she owns adjacent properties and asked the board to consider the lot‑line context; she said she planned to build an additional shed and that the existing porch predated current setback rules. “So I don't really understand,” Baer said when the board clarified the issue, noting the lot is an older record.

A board member moved to approve the variance; the motion passed by voice vote. Staff will record the variance and permit the accessory structure placement while noting the nonconforming location of the existing porch.