Which is why the rural DeWitt County resident was seeking an overturn of a ruling by the Zoning Board of Appeals to deny him that request at the Thursday night DeWitt County Board Meeting. 

 

The DeWitt County ordinance states a structure, in this case a property fence, must be built no further than 200 feet from a property line. 

 

Holt initially started to build a fence for such a purpose, however, the project did not get completed in the time his permit allowed. Then in reapplying, he learned the fence could not be built in the area he originally intended due to an ordinance change. The ordinance change established a fence as a structure, which could not be within 200 feet of a property line with the purpose containing certain farm animals. He is contending a fence should not be considered a structure, as the USDA does not consider a fence a structure because it does not have a roof.

 

 

The DeWitt County Board has the authority to overturn rulings made by the Zoning Board of Appeals. In answering questions from the Board, Zoning Administrator Angie Sarver explains the area Holt resides is considered residential not farm ground.

 

 

Holt explains there are three lots in his considered subdivision, however, he points out his property tax bill shows $53 in agriculture property taxes along with other discrepancies.

 

 

Doug Smith is a resident in the area being discussed and says his property was purchased as a residential lot. He says any exceptions made to the ordinance for the property would cause him a hardship if allowed.

 

 

The Board ultimately voted down the variance being sought by Holt. Many offered Holt their sympathies and acknowledged the ordinance was poorly written and needed to be changed.

 

Holt declined comment after the meeting.

 

Also at the Thursday night Board meeting:

 

>>The Board approved the purchase of a new vehicle for DeWitt County Animal Control not to exceed $20-thousand.

 

>>The Board approved a new security system for DeWitt County Animal Control's facility.

 

>>The Board approved the upgrading of the fuel tank station with an ethernent communications model for a cost of just short of $13-hundred. 

 

>>The Board approved entering into a contract with Chastain and Associates for engineering services for the sewage treatment plant replacement at cost just over $23-thousand.