Board approves location variance to place house behind accessory structure; record shows inconsistent address reporting

The Oldham County Board of Adjustments and Appeals on Jan. 15 approved a location variance (docket OC 26-005) to allow placement of a primary structure behind an existing accessory structure, with standard conditions requiring that the variance apply only to this hearing and that the applicant obtain all necessary building permits and inspections.

Planner Sandyburg Roden presented the staff report, describing the application as seeking a location variance to place a 78-by-58-foot primary structure behind an existing accessory structure on a 3.03-acre R2-zoned lot. Roden’s presentation identified the lot in the staff slides as 3706 Brookside Circle in LaGrange and described site constraints (lot shape and septic location) that staff said justified the request. Roden reported no letters in favor or opposition.

The docket header read into the record at the start of the item contains a different address string in the transcript (the docket-reading language lists the property location in Crestwood and a different block/address phrasing). Because the docket header and staff presentation list different addresses, the record is inconsistent; this article reports both the docket header and staff presentation and relies on the staff slide and the owner’s sworn testimony for the operative description of the parcel and request.

Property owner Chad Sipe testified he bought and split the parcel, that his family intends to occupy adjacent tracts, and that placing the new house behind the existing barn reduces costs (shorter septic runs), avoids routing a driveway around the barn, and preserves the barn he said he does not want to lose. "I love the existing barn. I don't wanna lose it," Sipe said. He also said the lot functions as a flag lot with approximately 63 feet of road frontage and that a shared driveway easement is on file.

A board member moved to approve the location variance; the motion was seconded and passed with recorded affirmative votes. The board attached the standard condition that the variance apply only to the application present at the Jan. 15 hearing and that the applicant must obtain required permits and inspections before construction. Because of the address discrepancy in the record, staff should confirm and document the correct legal address and parcel identification in the administrative file before permitting and platting actions proceed.