By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
A local farmer is looking to breathe new – and a vastly different – life into the former Carter Lumber property on Marion Road.
The Bucyrus Board of Zoning Appeals approved a conditional use request Tuesday afternoon to allow the property to be used as a residence with agricultural-related items and equipment.
Rick Stuckert and his wife are planning on downsizing and selling 32 acres north of town, but will continue to farm mainly straw and hay.
“The finished part of it we could convert and make a very nice residence in it,” Stuckert explained of the 5.96 acres. The Stuckerts plan to put wainscoting on the bottom half of the finished building and possibly add a patio on the south side.
Board member Mark Makeever, who is the City Council’s representative, expressed concerns over the place possibly being unkempt with farm equipment stored outside. Stuckert assured the board that, with only one semi, a trailer, and six tractors, everything would easily be stored in one of the buildings. The other building would be used as storage for straw and hay.
“This would fit in with the rest of everything that is there. I think it is a neat idea,” said Council President Sis Love. She noted that what the Stuckerts planned was similar to the work that was done to turn the creamery building on Mary Street into apartments.
The board granted the conditional use. The property will remain zoned as General Business.