Zoning board approves height variance and reaffirms septic variance for commercial lots

The Wilson County Board of Zoning Appeals granted two variances this session: a height variance for a proposed accessory shop and a septic/sewer variance for a commercial lot with a previously certified septic system.

In case 4370, Tim Schutt asked for a 3‑foot variance so an accessory shop could reach 25 feet in height to match the pitch of his home. Schutt told the board the shop would sit about a quarter‑mile from the road and be designed to "mimic that back on the shop" roof pitch. Staff said it could not recommend approval under the zoning ordinance language, but Board members noted the structure’s setback from the road and the matching design and approved the variance after a motion, second and voice vote ('Aye'). Staff also noted the item had been advertised and would appear on the county‑commission agenda in February.

In case 4371, Russell (Rusty) Thompson asked the board to reapply a prior sewer variance to a subdivided lot so the proposed commercial warehouse (approximate building envelope 10,200 to 12,000 square feet) could use an existing, certified septic system rather than connect to public sewer. Thompson said the septic system was installed and certified in 2021 and that site‑plan approval for a 12,000 square‑foot warehouse had been granted by the planning commission subject to the sewer waiver. Board members discussed the risk that future tenants could change the use and increase water demand; staff said some similar variances have been granted in the past when applicants could show existing septic capacity. After public comment supporting reapplying the prior variance, the board moved and approved the septic variance.

Board members recorded caution about long‑term sewer access and noted the water authority’s moratorium and the longer horizon for traditional public sewer extensions. Several members said changes in future use or tenant additions that increase water use would require board review or additional permitting.

Next steps: applicants may proceed with building permit or site‑plan follow‑up consistent with the approved variances; staff and the board noted monitoring and enforcement options if uses change.