[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6467284,"mediaKeyId","5806406-5a94377834f95b203165533a5bef4aa9","parentId",5806406,"title","BZA orders lakeside gazebo removed and denies shed after neighbors cite erosion risks","audioSeconds",2710,"startMs",1850000,"endMs",4560000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5806406-5a94377834f95b203165533a5bef4aa9&start=1850&end=4560","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5806406-5a94377834f95b203165533a5bef4aa9/thumbnail_1850000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6467284/Kosciusko-County/Indiana/BZA-orders-lakeside-gazebo-removed-and-denies-shed-after-neighbors-cite-erosion-risks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467284-2e331cbb0b6a04f3956f64f91ff6f84c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448086&Signature=NVWw1uAiiDcvrdY6dndumBCh8k3vJkzGSebtoMm3cYvKy7AAIQdzWzTJeWm0ASjFxLVx97MmwvbFpWciiEcapXlwZUkzhLEcrgBwkCzw1k2s15uIbMtvJzeU-WFyp-lISqyZDxQp52R2mHK0TcYJawCnh17KeKQ61oK-ZOdz3rOaOJllS14W5FTBc68e2gZlwLcFTADe6MQ9RviQloQFFtDwbBoLBoRh4NxCzbK5b3s-eYMbxgCe4Not3q9DY1EZy93KetTX-DeSYwQSyJr7mVkeMBTt3yqsVKr0UPtrIGr4rV45XDdF5oygYn3VI4C1TktBzgIHFepnZN-Nj1Vd2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kosciusko County, IN","date","2025-09-12T07:44:19Z","article","The Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals voted to require removal of a pre‑existing gazebo/pergola and denied a petition to place a shed at a lakeside property owned by Michael Zimmerman in Turkey Creek Township, after several nearby residents and lakefront property owners raised concerns about shoreline erosion, seawall stability and the scale of improvements.

The property had drawn formal complaints and DNR involvement earlier in the process. Opponents told the board they had observed increased erosion and a failing seawall in the immediate area, and several neighbors said extra structures and added weight near the waterline could aggravate the shoreline. Supporters said the gazebo had become a neighborhood gathering place.

During the hearing Mike Zimmerman told the board he had pulled the required permit after being notified and said, \"I pulled my permit,\" and also told the panel the gazebo is removable: \"It's 10 lag bolts, and I can move it.\" Multiple neighbors described visible seawall deterioration and said they feared added structures would accelerate shoreline loss. One nearby resident said, \"It's been a junkyard for the last year\" in a separate case later in the agenda, and others cited smoke and outdoor storage concerns around different properties; the Zimmerman hearing was notable for direct DNR/floodline references and strong local feeling about lakefront stability.

After testimony for and against, the board voted that the gazebo must be removed. The board also denied the proposed 8×24 shed — finding the parking/egress, floodplain and public‑right‑of‑way impacts unacceptable as presented. The board recorded the removal motion and the shed denial by voice votes; staff will inspect the property to verify compliance.

Why it matters
Board decisions on lakeside structures can affect neighboring properties' shoreline stability, local flood risk and public access. The DNR and other agencies may be involved for shoreline and floodplain matters, and the BZA indicated it weighed not only zoning setbacks but also the potential environmental and safety consequences.

Next steps
Planning staff will follow up to confirm removal of the gazebo and that the shed will not be placed. If the owner complies, there are no further BZA actions required on this item; noncompliance would trigger enforcement procedures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 9, 2025 BZA","oneSentenceSummary","Kosciusko County's Board of Zoning Appeals ordered removal of a lakeside gazebo/pergola and denied a proposed shed on Michael Zimmerman's Turkey Creek Township property after neighbors and the board raised concerns about shoreline stability, DNR findings and public safety.","taxTitle","Kosciusko County, Indiana","taxId",51037,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467288,"Kosciusko County BZA approves several variances, denies or continues others",11,0,11625,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5806406-5a94377834f95b203165533a5bef4aa9&start=0&end=11","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5806406-5a94377834f95b203165533a5bef4aa9/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6467288/Kosciusko-County/Indiana/Kosciusko-County-BZA-approves-several-variances-denies-or-continues-others","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467288-49f93e81a246b569e68592a29aaf97d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448086&Signature=TWsG-UHnv8OMOiLuOKWj0JNktSRnUrfW-RbnxK6GWsIXP571d2sHJM0MZddow3z31cuKxg11lTwjbVROuVlE4vp6lQt67dh5I8iVtZBL9gBd7cDMfKwLajmQGV4-iLZf7k8lzwZxOD0gZybvgk9LW6HyWafG3GW1kRrUH1RTuT3VSR0lU2tGyGFGcCeijlLCN8MDYClHP40s6LSkLsGz1W6hJb8y6WzNAgkfgR5ukFhbwwFBXuKwIDmhWiHZRDe8mD1mYHX-89L0rdQf2bRR~dYAevfzC~zxGqrbYCHV~qCinHSL15YuyTx3OHs0-WV3SPdSipUpK4obIYBidbGxgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kosciusko County's Board of Zoning Appeals on an undated meeting day took action on more than a dozen petitions, approving several variances and exceptions, denying one and continuing multiple petitions to give applicants time to resolve technical or access questions.

The board front‑loaded approvals that had little discussion and sent contested or incomplete items back for follow‑up. Several approvals included standard permitting requirements or additional conditions (for example a $125 flood/improvement location permit fee on one lakeside deck variance). Several petitions were continued to the board's October 14 or November meeting dates to allow applicants to secure surveys, easements, highway‑department input or other documentation.

Votes at a glance
- Exception 202567 (Kevin Carr, auto repair in an I‑2 district): continued 60 days (to November) while the petitioner pursues voluntary annexation and sewer hookup with the city.
- Exception 202578 (Lamar Boston, storage/warehousing in an Ag district): continued 30 days to allow survey/easement work and negotiations with an adjoining owner.
- Exception/variance 202581 (Chad Bollingbacher): denied for lack of required site plan and neighbor outreach.
- Variance 2025216 (Duane Chubb, lakeside deck): approved; petitioner must obtain an improvement location permit and a flood permit; permit fee $125.
- Variance 2025224 (Andrew Rotor, pergola/platform/stairs and privacy louvers at a condominium regime): approved as presented.
- Variances 2025227 & 2025228 (Michael Zimmerman, lakeside gazebo/pergola and a shed): hearing produced divergent testimony; the board voted to require removal of the gazebo/pergola and denied the proposed shed (see separate article for details).
- Exception 202590 (Barker Storage — outside storage on portions of an existing storage complex): approved with conditions noted by staff.
- Variance 2025233 (Lisa Bender, existing AC unit setbacks): approved as presented.
- Variance 2025235 (David Swihart, lot with no owned frontage accessed only by easement): approved; board noted risk of unresolved deeded easements and recommended documenting a deeded easement to prevent future access disputes.
- Exception 202592 (Katie Robinson, home‑based auto repair): approved; petitioner was told to verify driveway/driveway permit with the highway department prior to construction.
- Variance 2025239 (Lisa Mills, replacement shed placement): approved; applicant reminded to secure permits before construction.
- Exception 202594 (Marcella Manns / Easy Hand Automotive, home‑based auto repair): continued 30 days for the applicants to present a written plan addressing outdoor storage, vehicle staging, environmental controls and cleanup; neighbors had raised safety, burning and visual concerns.
- Exception 202595 and Variance 2025241 (Isaac Miller, home‑based construction business and 60‑sq‑ft sign): continued 30 days to provide an updated site plan, show deliveries/turnaround for trucks and consult with the highway department to resolve safety/turnaround concerns.
- Exception 202596 and Variance 2025243 (John Jackson, oversized accessory building 30×36): approved with conditions; the board required a 10‑foot setback (rather than the requested 6 feet) and required the applicant to submit a building design that is residential in appearance for staff approval before a permit is issued.
- Exception 202597 (Gregory Harden, expand hours and overflow parking for a pick‑your‑own flower business): approved; the board required a recorded covenant combining the contiguous overflow parcel with the house parcel for the duration of the business use and asked that the driveway/access be coordinated with the highway department.

Why it matters
Local zoning approvals affect property uses, neighborhood character, emergency access and floodplain or right‑of‑way safety. Several items the board continued involved easements, highway‑department approvals or flood‑permit issues; the board repeatedly noted that unresolved easement or access issues can create long‑term legal and maintenance problems for property owners.

The board gave applicants a mix of approvals and conditions intended to balance property‑owner improvements and neighborhood impacts. Items with significant neighbor opposition or open engineering questions were typically continued to give petitioners time to fix documentation or propose mitigation.","At its regular meeting, the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a series of variances and exceptions, denied one petition, and continued several others for more information or to allow applicants to resolve outstanding issues. Key contested matters were continued or resulted in conditions.","actionData","errors"]

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BZA orders lakeside gazebo removed and denies shed after neighbors cite erosion risks

Kosciusko County BZA approves several variances, denies or continues others