Ex Parte Chapman

This case involves an appeal by Mary Chapman from the circuit court's judgment allowing Henry Hallet a "variance" from a local zoning ordinance. The Court of Civil Appeals affirmed the judgment, and we granted certiorari. We now reverse and remand.

The relevant facts of this case show that in October of 1983, Henry Hallet began construction of a utility building at his residence. The building was of wood and was prefabricated. Its size was ten feet by twelve feet with a peak height of approximately ten feet. The building was to rest on boards, and was not to be set in concrete. Mary Chapman,…