Board denies use variance for self-storage facility in I‑69 corridor

The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously denied a use-variance request Feb. 23 from Jay Hurlus to build a boat and RV self‑storage facility at 3960 South London Drive, inside the county's I‑69 Corridor Overlay District.

Hurlus told the board the parcel's exposure to the interstate gives it a "transitional character" suited to low‑intensity corridor uses such as boat and RV storage and said the facility would occupy about 20 of a 100‑acre parcel. He described 24‑hour secured access, six‑foot fencing, keypad entry, cameras and minimal lighting, and argued the site's characteristics create a hardship under the county's unified development ordinance.

County staff, citing the I‑69 overlay, recommended denial. Staff told the board the overlay specifically prohibits self‑storage and similar uses to preserve corridor character and listed findings of fact—sections 2.1 through 2.5—in which the petition failed to satisfy the standards staff must apply. "Because storage facilities are expressly prohibited along the corridor and the petitioner has not satisfied findings 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5, staff does not recommend approval," a staff representative said.

Nearby resident Dennis Maxwell, who lives directly opposite the proposed site, spoke in opposition, saying the project would add lighting, traffic and that allowing one non‑agricultural use could make it easier to permit additional development. "Going from agriculture to anything else is going to be just the first domino," Maxwell said.

After board discussion that focused on the explicit overlay restrictions and staff's findings, a board member moved to deny the petition. The motion carried by voice vote.

The denial leaves the I‑69 Corridor overlay's restrictions intact for that property; Hurlus or subsequent owners may pursue other, overlay‑permitted uses or remedies available under local ordinance.