A Henry County man received approval to expand his shed-building business to a Hagerstown-area property.
During its June 11 meeting, the Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved Amos Esh’s request for a variance of use to construct storage sheds and small home shells on a 34-acre property at Indiana 1 and Fagan Road.
Although the property is zoned rural industrial, Esh’s business is not a permitted use under the zoning ordinance. Board members noted, however, that the proposed operation is less intensive than uses already allowed in the district.
Two neighboring families opposed the request, arguing the business would alter the area’s rural character.
Ronald Hoover of Cambridge City said neighbors chose to live near farm fields and expressed concerns about semi-tractor trailer traffic on dead-end Fagan Road. Dave Pointis read a letter from his son, Michael, who said he wanted the area to remain a quiet agricultural setting with open views and was concerned about truck traffic, noise and visual impacts.
Esh said he hopes to continue growing the business while being a good neighbor and minimizing disruptions.
Board members expressed appreciation that Esh selected property in a rural industrial district rather than agricultural land for the expansion.
Earlier in the meeting, the board also approved, 5-0, Elam Lapp’s request for a variance of use to build a 40-by-60-foot agricultural barn at 3811 Treaty Line Road south of Hagerstown. Lapp plans to house horses and cattle in the barn.
Lapp owns multiple Treaty Line Road properties, and the barn will not be on the property where he resides. He said the septic sewer for his residence forced him to plan the barn for his other property.
A version of this article appeared in the June 17 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
