Summary: The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approved a special exception which was rescinded. The Area Plan Commission (APC) then recommended a Zoning change that the commissioners approved. The APC and Commissioner’s decisions are being challenged in court by Sherrie Mitchell. The BZA approved the special exception and this too will be challenged in court.
Jun 15, 2021. Commissioners sued over zoning decision By Sara Clifford
May 26, 2021. BZA Meeting. Approved the special exception.
May 4, 2021. Letter: Efforts against the local ‘good ole boy system’ by Sherrie Mitchell
- Planning and zoning only enforces the ordinance when a complaint is filed. So here I am now, four closed lawsuits with my neighbors under my belt. I won them all. I have one pending against the county and am initiating one today (April 29). I’ve been defamed, and just last week had my mailbox destroyed. All because I took a stand against an injustice.
May 3, 2021. Petition for Judicial Review 20210503141100785 Mitchell Challenge to Commissioners Decision
APC recommended approval; Commissioners approved. BZA has to approve a special exception.
Apr 6, 2021. ZONING BRIEFS: Buccos rezone gets positive vote;
- … changing the zoning from residential to Forest Reserve (FR) would allow the business to continue with a special exception. … Mitchell objected. She said the land’s use was more industrial than it was “forest reserve,” and cited the comprehensive plan which says that industrial uses should be discouraged in residential or not-compatible areas. She said this was a spot zone considering the amount of R2-zoned property in the area. She also complained about the volume of large trucks using West Robertson Road, which is where she lives.
- The county commissioners will have to approve this change, as the APC’s vote was only a recommendation.
- … because a special exception from the BZA also is needed, that would require the approval of a site plan, and the business would have to stick with that plan.
The property did not quality for a non-conforming use.
Nonconforming Uses, aka “Grandfathered Uses” in Zoning
- The county zoning ordinance was passed in “1965”. Property Deed identifies the transfer of property on Oct 29, 1964. The business identified as “Masonry and Digging Contractor.” (Information provided to the BZA – see below).
- “A nonconforming use is generally defined as a land use or structure that was legal when established but does not conform to the standards of the current zoning ordinance.” The pre-existing structures cannot be expanded or enlarged without approval from the Planning Office.
- A decision to grant a nonconforming use must be supported with evidence – such as a deed and documentation as to the type and nature of the business.
Feb 10, 2021. Judge dismisses complaint against logging business, county. By Sara Clifford.
- Before the case made it to the court ruling stage, the BZA revoked the special exception for general industrial use that it had granted Buccos, but Mitchell filed paperwork to keep her petition in the court system. In November, Mitchell filed a motion “to ask the court to grant relief” in the form of an injunction against the logging business and the repayment of her court fees.
Nov 3, 2020. BCD. Zoning dispute hangs over business By Sara Clifford
Oct 28, 2020. Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Meeting. The BZA board rescinded the decision they made at their Jan 29, 2000 meeting that allowed for a special exception for an industrial park. The BZA was provided with erroneous information and have acknowledged that it is illegal for an industrial park to operate inside an area zoned as residential (R2).
At the Jan 29, 2020 meeting, Christina Buccos went before the Board seeking a special exception for “general industrial” use to keep running a business that has been operating for two generations
Those in attendance supporting the Buccos’ were under the impression that the business could be “grandfathered” in or have the support of neighbors. These are not legal options. It is not unusual in the county for landowners to overlook zoning laws and ask for any approvals after the fact.
- Statement by Sherrie Mitchell including supporting information on the issues.
- Buccos Information Submitted at 10_28_2020 BZA (SSN Redacted)
- Includes “1963” Tax Return to establish business use as “Masonry and Digging Contractor”
- Property Deed Oct 29 1964 Provided by Sherrie Mitchell (Per the Recorders Office, Deed referenced a mortgage was taken out in 1959.
Guidance: INDIANA CITIZEN PLANNER’S GUIDE Part 2: Board of Zoning Appeals Basics
by KK Gerhart-Fritz, AICP. Developmental Standards Variance Criteria per IC 36-7-4-918.5
- (1) the approval will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals,
and general welfare of the community - (2) the use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the
a variance will not be affected in a substantially adverse manner - (3) the strict application of the terms of the zoning ordinance will result
in practical difficulties in the use of the property
May 13, 2020. Facebook – Brown County Matters, by Sherrie Mitchell. Judge Wertz denied the motion by the BZA attorney to dismiss.
Mar 11, 2020. Facebook – Brown County Matters. Notification of formal complaint to the APC and BZA.
Mar 7, 2020. Facebook – Brown County Matters by Sherrie Mitchell, Volume of truck traffic.
Mar 4, 2020, Facebook – Brown County Matters – Zoning Overlays – County GIS Map by Sherrie Mitchell. Response by Tom Reoch, GIS coordinator
- Tim J. Clark CULTURE: The “culture” in the county that has been expressed at county meetings has been that people can generally do what they want with their property. If there is a complaint, then property owners can apply for a special exception or a zoning change. This issue started with a complaint by a neighbor. Upon further analysis, it was determined that the law governing the approval of the exception may not have been followed. It was also discovered that Board member (s) were appointed to the BZA in violation of Indiana law. Given the formal complaint, the county judge will now review the process that supported the decision by the BZA which may require that they re-hear the request for a special exception and/or determine that a zoning change may be needed.
- Tim J. Clark . The PROCESS: The County Comprehensive Plan (meets minimum standards required by law), provides the guidance for zoning. The commissioners are “accountable” for the process. The Planning Director and GIS Coordinator work for the commissioners. The “voters” are “responsible” for the performance of the commissioners.
Mar 3, 2012. Democrat. Zoning decision under review; member resigns, By Sara Clifford . Sherrie and Benjamin Mitchell filed a petition for judicial review on Feb. 21, asking that the court clear the special exception which the BZA granted for the Christina Buccos property on Gartner Drive in January.
Mar 2, 2020. BZA Meeting. Statement of Fact 20200302185331927
Feb 29, 2020. Democrat. COUNTY NEWS: Speed limit reduced; update on courthouse remodel By Sara Clifford
- An ordinance reducing the speed limit on West Robertson Road to 30 MPH was approved unanimously by the Brown County Commissioners on Feb. 19.
- The speed limit will be reduced on West Robertson from State Road 135 North to Richardson Drive east and westbound. The speed limit maximum will be 30 MPH unless weather or other conditions require a lower maximum speed limit.
Feb 24, 2020. Democrat. Business gets OK to keep operating in neighborhood By Sara Clifford
- A Brown County family has been granted the proper zoning permission to keep running the business it’s been running on its property for at least two generations.
Christina Buccos went before the Brown County Board of Zoning Appeals on Jan. 29 seeking a special exception for “general industrial” use. Her family formed Shady Oaks Logging LLC six years ago, but a log yard has been housed on Buccos’ 130-plus acres since before the county had a zoning code, according to Planning Director Chris Ritzmann’s research. Buccos was asking for the special exception for 3 acres of her land, all of which is zoned FR (forest reserve).
Buccos’ land is on a private road, Gartner Drive, which abuts West Robertson Road.
Feb 21, 2020. Facebook – Brown County Matters, Legal Complaint. Sherrie Mitchell.
- My husband and I, represented by Michael Carmin (attorney in Bloomington), filed a request for a judicial review in the Brown County Circuit Court, Judge Mary Wertz. If you read the article in the Brown County Democrat a few weeks back, you are aware that the Brown County BZA approved a logging yard in a residential neighborhood. This is absurd. This sets a precedent for our county and would allow industrial parks in every residential neighborhood. This has to be stopped.
Independent Voters of Brown County IN 