BROOKVILLE — The board of zoning appeals approved a variance for AMVETS Post 1789 so the organization can build a banquet room and kitchen addition to its building, located at 715 Market St.

According to law director Rod Stephan, a drawing submitted with the organization’s application for the variance indicated “the north corner of the banquet room will be 20.17 feet from the back property line.

Stephan said the property where the post is located is zoned General Business.

“Section 1137.03)(b) (4) of the General Business District provides that when the rear lot line of the business property abuts residential district lot lines, the minimum side or rear transitional setback distance shall be 25 feet in depth and provided with a landscape screen or wall as defined in Section 1166.01,” Stephan said.

Stephan noted there are residential properties at the rear of the AMVETS property that are part of Hunters Run.

“The requested variance is to reduce the required rear yard setback from 25 feet to 20.17 feet to permit the north corner of the building addition to be located as presented,” Stephan said.

“With respect to the required landscape screen or wall, there is an existing tree line at the back of the property,” Stephan added.

Stephan advised the board it could give AMVETS two options.

“The BZA could either determine that the existing tree line provides a landscape screen or require landscape screen to be planted by the applicant,” Stephan said.

Stephan also told the board “Section 1111.06 (a) authorizes the BZA to approve a variance to permit a rear yard setback that is less than the required setback and that “city staff is recommending approval of this variance.”

“We want to add onto the back of the building for a dining area,” AMVET Post 1789 Commander Jeff Bang said to the board, adding the current building doesn’t allow the space to seat people.

“The kitchen is not a factor for the variance, but to build the dining area is. The dining area is going to go out far enough to require the variance,” Bang said.

Bang said construction of the addition will begin as soon as he receives the architect’s drawings.

Bang said when the banquet room is completed, it is estimated the room will seat between 60-70 people.

Bang noted the banquet room will not only be available to AMVET members, but will also be available for rent to the public.

Bang said one of the reasons for the banquet room is to bring more people to Brookville.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected].