A contractor in Mapleton is in hot water for running his contracting business from his rural property despite being denied the necessary zoning amendment.
John Horst, owner of J.M. Building Contractors, applied to have the prime agricultural property rezoned in 2019 as part of a proposal to build an accessory building. That was denied.
In 2020, he applied for a minor variance to allow for an accessory building, claiming in the application it was for personal use. He’s been using the property for his contracting business since 2017.
Coun. Marlene Ottens expressed concerns about what she called the “deception” of the 2020 minor variance application. Horst claims the lawyer he retained to do the paperwork misrepresented the intended use, adding that he does not have a plan for his business should the application be denied again.
Staff are taking the comments from Tuesday’s meeting and will be back before council with a report and recommendations.
