NOBLE COUNTY, Ind. (WLKI)- A family-built tiny village that has drawn widespread attention on social media is set to go before the Noble County Board of Zoning Appeals as members consider a request for a zoning variance.
According to WANE 15, the property is located along State Road 109 near Wolf Lake and features handcrafted tiny houses and a vintage-style gas station that were constructed over several years using recycled materials.
The family said the project was designed to preserve what remains of their grandfather's property while creating a recreational gathering place for future generations. They also noted the project has generated significant community support, with hundreds of people sharing information about the zoning hearing online.
The family is seeking a variance because the property's location between State Road 109 and a regulated county drain leaves little room to build while meeting current setback requirements.
Noble County Planning Director Teresa Tackett told WANE 15 that county zoning regulations require buildings to be set back a specified distance from both the roadway and the regulated drain, making it difficult to place permanent structures on the property without an exception.
Tackett said the Noble County Drainage Board has already given conditional approval to the request, but the final decision rests with the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Although the project has attracted significant public interest, Tackett said board members must base their decision on Indiana law and the county's zoning ordinance.
"I appreciate the conversation, and I think it's a good format for us to talk about these things," Tackett told WANE 15. "I think in general, a lot of people don't realize that they need permits for things that they wouldn't expect to need a permit for."
Tackett also said county officials chose not to issue an immediate zoning violation because the property owners have worked with the planning department while pursuing the variance.
She reminded property owners that permanent structures larger than 120 square feet generally require both a building permit and an improvement location permit and encouraged residents to contact the planning department before beginning construction projects.
The Noble County Board of Zoning Appeals is scheduled to hear testimony from the property owners and members of the public before voting on the variance request during its meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Noble County Annex Building in Albion. According to WANE 15, the board's decision will determine whether the family can keep the structures in their current location.