Marshall County BZA approves home workshop expansion with generator stipulation

The Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals on May 12 approved a special-use permit allowing applicant Dale Burkholder to add a 20-by-32-foot addition to an existing 34-by-40-foot building for a wood shop, with a condition concerning generator noise and placement.

Staff and the technical review committee recommended approval, saying the roughly 37-acre site meets setback requirements, will not encroach on neighboring properties and is consistent with other agricultural and home-business uses in the area. "Based on the information provided, staff and TRC recommend approval of the request," the staff presentation said.

Burkholder, who gave his address as 643 4th Road in Raymond, told the board he currently operates a portable sawmill part time in the existing building and plans to move the sawmill to the new addition so he can use the older space for finishing work. He said the operation could add one employee, would produce timber mats and use a small portable generator for lighting. "I've got a portable sawmill ... I want to move it to the addition so I've got more room," Burkholder said.

A neighboring resident, Marvin Hogan of Plymouth Ocean Trail, spoke in opposition, urging the board to consider road capacity and truck weights. "The roads are not made for that kind of traffic ... You're asking these semis to come in," Hogan said, arguing that increased heavy truck traffic would be detrimental to local roadways.

Board discussion focused on truck movements, hours and equipment. Burkholder estimated one to two straight trucks per week for deliveries, with occasional semis, and said most offloading could be done by drivers or by him. He said typical hours would be roughly 5 a.m. to 1 or 2 p.m.

A board member moved to approve the special-use request on the staff findings and added a stipulation that the applicant monitor the portable generator and, if operations grow beyond the current portable unit, enclose or relocate the power source to meet Marshall County code (muffler/noise standards). The motion was seconded and approved by roll call; the board recorded unanimous support and the application was approved with that condition.

Staff told the applicant the permitting step takes about five days after final processing; Burkholder acknowledged he would return next week to pick up paperwork.

The approval does not change zoning on surrounding parcels; neighbors seeking to challenge use or impacts may pursue separate remedies under county code or permit conditions. The board noted it will consult road-condition data from state pavement-rating sources to better understand truck impacts when reviewing future applications.