The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday denied a variance that would have let property owners disturb areas of more than 12 percent slope inside the county's Eco‑1 (Lake Monroe watershed) overlay.

Planning staff told the board the application for VAR‑25‑71 sought authorization for a new residence on properties at 7407 and 7415 South State Road 446 and that the petitioners’ submitted footprint totaled roughly 5,510 square feet. Staff calculated that the portion of the footprint exceeding the 12 percent slope limit equaled about 10,218 square feet (approximately 0.23 acres), and recommended denial because the petitioners had not demonstrated the practical difficulties required for a variance.

"For Eco‑1 areas the property shall be subject to a limit of not greater than 12 percent slope disturbance," Planning staff said, summarizing the county's standard and the office’s finding that redesign or relocation could avoid the encroachment.

Petitioners Mei Wei Ling and Ming Feng Shih told the board they had worked with engineers to move a building area to the top of a ridge to reduce the long‑term erosion risk compared with a valley location they said was technically allowable under the rules. "We invested in the campground and the septic system to protect the lake," Ling said, describing steps they said they had taken to minimize runoff and restore vegetation.

Board members repeatedly pressed the petitioners on alternatives. One commissioner said the proposed disturbance into the slope area was "too big" and suggested storage or a pole barn for trailers and camper equipment in the lower, buildable valley instead of widening the ridge. Planning staff and several members repeated that there were locations on the property where a modest redesign would avoid the need for a variance.

After deliberation the board moved to deny VAR‑25‑71, citing the failure to demonstrate practical difficulties. The motion carried with a unanimous recorded vote. The chair thanked the petitioners and encouraged future work with planning staff on a revised plan that complies with slope and watershed protections.

The denial preserves the county's 12 percent‑slope limit in Eco‑1 areas intended to protect water quality and minimize erosion to Lake Monroe, a local resource of environmental and recreational importance.