The Starke County Plan Commission members opened a public hearing last week on an ordinance amendment that would establish definitions and criteria for accessory structures.
The ordinance specifies acreage, parcel size, detail about carports, setback requirements and the permitting process. Building Commissioner Boz Williams explained that there have been several issues surrounding carports. He stated that international code indicates in this case that anything that has more than two walls is considered a residential garage. Anchorage requirements are also clarified in the amended ordinance.
County Attorney Justin Schramm said the amendments are standard under Indiana code.
Public comments included the protection of private property rights.
The commission members unanimously approved a motion to support a favorable recommendation to the Starke County Commissioners for formal approval.
The commission members also opened a public hearing concerning an amendment establishing definitions and criteria for dwellings.
Williams said there are clarifications on what defines a dwelling. Two dwellings are not allowed on one piece of property and there is a clarification on what allows for a building to be built on a property. He noted that there have been additional buildings that are built on property that have bedrooms and bathrooms, but no stove which defines a dwelling in state code. Air BNBs and VRBOs are permitted differently.
There were questions concerning specifications on dwellings where parcels govern the number of dwellings on a property, and the protection of private property rights.
The commission members unanimously approved a motion to support a favorable recommendation to the Starke County Commissioners for formal approval.
The commission members also opened a public hearing concerning an amendment concerning the use of semi van trailers and intermodal shipping units as permanent storage structures.
The only change included in the amendment was the requirement for acreage which simply rounds up 1.99 acres to 2 acres and 4.99 acres to 5 acres. They are allowed in agricultural areas as a permitted use on property with 2 to 5 acres. Permission would be needed by the Board of Zoning Appeals to have them on property zoned in residential districts.
One resident asked about shipping container homes. Williams explained that electric can be hooked up in a shipping container properly permitted on a property, but one cannot be built to live in as the ordinance is written.
The commission members unanimously approved a motion to support a favorable recommendation to the Starke County Commissioners for formal approval.
