The Delaware Muncie Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals approved six variances and property-split requests at its October regular meeting, granting a series of reliefs for setbacks, accessory-structure size, a limited hay‑sales use at a residence, and multiple lot divisions. Each action passed on a 5-0 roll call.

The board approved BZA49-25, a variance for Jonathan and Cambry Chambliss to reduce side-yard setbacks for a new dwelling at the southeast corner of Waterview Drive and County Road 200 East. Applicant Jonathan Chambliss said an existing electrical easement and the placement of a septic tank left the planned house encroaching on the required side yard setbacks and made alternative siting impractical. The board recorded a 5‑0 approval; staff will issue certification to allow permit applications to proceed.

The board approved BZA50-25 for Nicholas Thad Evans to permit a 30-by-40 accessory building that would exceed the homes floor area, to allow seasonal on‑site hay sales in a residence‑zoned property at 5201 North Wheeling Avenue, and to allow two removable ground signs during sales season. Evans told the board sales would be seasonal (roughly November–April), conducted primarily by appointment and that signs would be removable and placed on his property outside the right-of-way. The board added a condition that the hay‑sales approval be limited to the applicant and not transfer with the property; the motion passed 5‑0.

BZA51-25, filed by the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, received approval to divide the church and parsonage at 2408 and 2500 North Oakwood Avenue into separate lots. Surveyor Kathy Van Nuysen told the board the alley shown on the original plat is a dedicated city alley; she said the applicant has coordinated with the city engineer, who specified aggregate requirements for access. The board approved the split 5‑0 with a condition requiring the applicants to work with the city engineer to improve the public alleyway and complete that improvement before recording the split.

BZA52-25 concerning a farm‑zoned property split at 4709 East Centennial Avenue was approved 5‑0. The request included reduced road frontage and lot width (the property could not meet the 150-foot frontage requirement while keeping both parcels buildable) and a decreased front setback for the existing house (listed at 44 feet from the right-of-way, short of the 50-foot standard). The board conditioned approval on completion and recording of the planning process.

BZA53-25 granted a height variance for a new barn at 7006 East County Road 550 South so the owner, Sylvia Delk, could store an RV. Delk said the structure would be used for personal storage only; the board approved the variance 5‑0 with that use restriction.

BZA54-25 approved a three-lot division proposed by Harold Jean Williams, Gerald Wayne Williams and Charles Michael Williams affecting properties on East Jackson Street that carry preexisting commercial and residential uses. Surveyor testimony noted a mapped tributary (a regulated drain) on the site where fencing or screening could impede flow; because of that and existing development the applicants asked for reduced front setbacks and relief from screening requirements. The board approved the request 5‑0 conditioned on completion of the planning process and recording.

All six approvals were recorded by roll call with five board members voting yes (Billington, Fritch, Ivy, Knapp and Mathewson). Staff said formal certificates of approval will be issued to the applicants so they may proceed with permitting or recording as applicable.

Votes at a glance

• BZA49-25 (Chambliss) — setback variances for corner lot: Approved 5‑0 (certificate to follow).

• BZA50-25 (Evans) — use variance for seasonal hay sales; 30x40 accessory building; two seasonal ground signs: Approved 5‑0; condition: hay-sales approval limited to applicant (not transferable with property).

• BZA51-25 (International Church) — divide church and parsonage into separate lots: Approved 5‑0; condition: alley improvements per city engineer to be completed before recording split.

• BZA52-25 (Toole) — reduced lot width/road frontage and decreased front setback for property split: Approved 5‑0; condition: planning process completed and recorded.

• BZA53-25 (Delk) — increased barn height to store RV (personal storage only): Approved 5‑0; condition: building used for personal storage only.

• BZA54-25 (Williams) — three-lot division with reduced front setbacks and no screening between residential/commercial uses (drainage constraints): Approved 5‑0; condition: planning process completed and recorded.

The boards office will provide certificates of approval and guidance on next steps (permit applications or recording).