The Board of Zoning Appeals of the City of Kokomo voted to approve a variance in case P18V25 that allows two newly created lots to use private wells and septic systems rather than connect to municipal water and sewer.

Rudy Bugdiven, representing Randall Miller and Associates and appearing for the petitioner on behalf of Tom Cox, told the board the two-lot subdivision sits on about 2.27 acres and that "there's not municipal water and sewer within a thousand or so feet of the site, thus making it a tremendous burden" to extend service. He said the owner plans either to sell the lots or build on them and that wells and septic are the only reasonably feasible option without incurring prohibitive costs.

City staff findings, read into the record by Miss Sheena (city staff), said the requested waiver "will not create any safety hazard" and that the petitioner "will be required to meet all health department standards for well and septic." Staff concluded the change would not substantially harm nearby property values and that the strict application of the zoning ordinance would create a practical difficulty because the nearest sewer line is over 1,000 feet away.

The board made and seconded a motion to approve the case and to adopt the petitioner’s and staff’s findings. After the recorded call for votes, members answered "aye" and the chair stated the motion passed.

The variance waives the municipal hookup requirement for the two new buildable lots in the AR zone; the exact locations of proposed wells and septic systems were not determined in the meeting and will be required to comply with health-department regulations. The record lists parcel identifiers but no street addresses for the lots.