Board allows Grounds Quality Lawn Care to remain on AG parcel with fence, delivery restrictions

The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a use variance Feb. 23 allowing Grounds Quality Lawn Care to operate from an agricultural parcel at 11503 North Rooker Road, subject to conditions intended to reduce neighborhood impacts.

Applicant Justin Grounds said he has operated his business at the site since 2009, employs about 23 people in summer, and has tried to find alternative sites without success. He described day‑to‑day operations including equipment storage, occasional pressure‑washing, deliveries, fuel deliveries and a porta‑john on site.

Two neighbors, Mike Pulliam and Kristen Smith, opposed the request. Pulliam said operations sometimes start overnight and cited events captured on his home security camera, including dumpster servicing and noisy activity that disturbs sleep. "Operations occur 7 days a week and sometimes 24 hours a day," Pulliam said, and he asked the board to deny the variance.

Board members weighed competing factors: the operation predated many nearby residences, staff noted the business had operated since 2009 within the former Mooresville buffer, and the county lacked complaints until 2025. After extended discussion the board approved the variance with two conditions: Grounds must construct a solid eight‑foot privacy fence along the east–west length of his gravel pad, placed as close to the gravel as feasible, and no dumpsters may be received or picked up between 7 PM and 7 AM. The board recorded the motion and approved the petition by voice vote.

Grounds said he would comply with the conditions and will coordinate with vendors (for example, schedule dumpster service during allowed hours). The board said the screening and hours restrictions were reasonable measures to balance continued business operation with neighborhood quality of life.