Two new Greens Fork-area businesses received necessary variances from the Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 13.
John and Tressa Wallace planned an event venue in an existing barn at 12082 Indiana 38 west of Greens Fork, and Aaron and Steven Stoltzfus planned a father-son deck construction business at 5878 N. Mineral Springs Road north of town.
The Wallaces said they’ve been asked about renting out their existing barn for parties, and they’ve hosted some events, including their son’s graduation party and a small concert, there. They plan to offer weekend event times.
“It’s a great setup,” Tressa Wallace said. “We just want to make sure we’re following the rules.”
The BZA unanimously granted a special exception for the barn’s use and a variance from development standards to reduce the minimum required acreage, lot width and rear-yard setback for a commercial recreation facility. The 1.345-acre lot is less than the minimum 5 acres because a larger tract was split in 2013 for agricultural use.
The barn will be available for rent from 8 a.m. to midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the Wallaces will not have any employees outside the family.
The Stoltzfuses, who live on a neighboring property, will build decks inside a 65-foot-by-96-foot barn, then store completed decks outside. A wholesaler will truck the decks from the property, which has previously been used for a concrete business.
The BZA unanimously granted a variance of use for the business.
The hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the Stoltzfuses received permission for two employees in case the business grows.
Additionally, the BZA unanimously approved a variance of use and a variance of development standards that will allow construction of a 36-foot-by-76-foot barn in the front-yard area at 12010 Williamson Road northwest of Williamsburg.
Joseph and Anna Yoder plan to keep horses and other livestock in the barn that will extend into the front-yard area so it’s easier to access and is farther from neighbors to the north.
The variances were necessary because the Yoders’ 5.595-acre lot is located in a multi-lot subdivision.
This reporting was made possible in part by Whitewater Community Television.
A version of this article appeared in the November 26 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.