Board of Adjustments approves replacement of removed mobile home at 115 May Avenue

The Leitchfield Board of Adjustments voted to allow owners at 115 May Avenue to replace a mobile home removed in November with a smaller manufactured dwelling and to continue the property's grandfathered non-conforming use, board members said at a regular meeting.

The replacement described to the board would be a 14-by-40 manufactured unit with a front porch, set farther back on the lot to create more parking and landscaping. The presenter said the prior mobile home measured about 12-by-65 and was removed in November (year not specified). The proposed unit would sit on a block foundation (three courses), be served by a 200-amp electrical service, and have metal siding and roofing, the presenter said.

Tyler, a staff member with the planning office, told the board he had discussed the matter with the owner and, although he had not yet seen final plans, believed the proposal "complies with KRS 100 253," the statute the board cited during the discussion. A staff member also read aloud Section 4.1.3 of the local regulations, which says the board may permit a change in a non-conforming use only if the proposed use has the same or lesser impact on the district and that the section does not allow expansion of a non-conforming structure.

Board members and staff noted the replacement would have a smaller footprint than the removed unit and would sit farther from the road, which the presenter said would improve parking on May Avenue. Staff also confirmed both structures on the lot have been used as rentals and are not deeded separately. The board was told that a building permit must be obtained before construction begins and that the new unit must meet other zoning and building specifications.

A commissioner moved to allow the property to continue the existing non-conforming use and to permit the proposed replacement structure; another commissioner seconded. The board voted in favor and the motion passed (mover and seconder not specified in the transcript). The action was recorded without an itemized roll-call vote in the transcript.

The board had earlier approved the minutes as presented and, after completing business, adjourned. The property owner or their representative must submit final plans and obtain the required building permit before construction.