VALLEY– During Monday’s City of Valley Council meeting, resident Marcus Fuller addressed the council regarding a permit for a pole barn.
“The reason I’m here is that I wanted to meet with the planning committee, but I tried to follow the chain of command to do it the right way. I had to get on the agenda early, so I wouldn’t have to wait another month.
I currently work as the Assistant Superintendent of Operations at Lee County Schools. I’ve been there for almost 12 years, and I purchased some land here in Chambers County almost three years ago. I came to apply for a permit for a pole barn from the city.
So, I obtained a permit, started building the pole barn, and ensured that everything was up to code. We completed the plumbing and got the septic done through the health department. I also arranged for the electrical work.
After finishing and permitting the electrical installation, I learned that we apparently did not follow the correct order, which led to my disappointment when the project was halted,” said Fuller.
Fuller elaborated on the reasoning behind his application for the pole barn. “My family is large, and if you’re familiar with Floyd’s Will Street, my wife’s grandfather, David Floyd, received an award from this council as the first African American to have a business here in Chambers County. We want to convert that business into a place where we can gather as a family, sit down, eat, and enjoy each other’s company.
When I purchased this land, my sole purpose was to eventually build a small home for myself, but I also envisioned a pole barn where I could store my tools and spend time with my family. COVID taught me, as it did for many, how important it is to cherish time with loved ones.
Floyd’s Grocery is quite small, and we renovated two areas inside to accommodate about 20 people comfortably.
The land I bought is 13 acres, and the intention was to create a pole barn. However, I was told that because I enclosed it and added a concrete floor, it is no longer considered a pole barn. I know many people who have enclosed pole barns with concrete floors; it doesn’t make sense to have a dirt floor in one.
The assumption seems to be that this will be used as an event center, but I have no intention of using it for that purpose. I’ve been a public school educator for 29 years, and I plan to do everything the right way. Everything I do will be up to code,” Fuller added.
City of Valley Planning and Development Director Reid Riley addressed the matter on behalf of the city. “In July 2025, Mr. Fuller filled out an application for a pole barn. When I reviewed that permit, he was informed that accessory structures cannot be built on a property without a house or residence. He responded that he needed a pole barn to store equipment and building materials for his future home.
A year later, a licensed electrician came in asking for a 200-amp service permit. He selected the wrong permit, marking it through to change it from mechanical to electrical.
At this point, no permits had been pulled for electrical, framing, or plumbing. When I see a building meant to store my equipment and materials for building a home, this is not what I picture. There are 14 showers, 22 sinks, and 22 toilets with no plumbing permits. Not only has he violated building codes, but he has also violated the laws concerning the buildings. This is why the power is not being turned on. I do not have a solution to correct this without removing those structures. It does not matter if it’s for family or other uses; it simply cannot be allowed,” said Riley.
According to Riley, the city’s ordinance regarding accessory structures, their size, and their relationship to a house is categorized as an R4 zone, which is designated for residential homes. You must have a single-family home or duplex before you can have any accessory structures, and those structures cannot exceed 50% of the home’s size. Thus, according to the ordinance, you would probably need about a 10,000 square foot house to comply.
“So, if you look at the regulations from the Planning Commission, there isn’t much that can be done in this situation. This zoning ordinance has been in place since the early ’80s, passed by the Planning Committee,” said Valley Mayor Pro Tem Kendall Andrews. Andrews advised Fuller to set up a meeting with Riley to discuss possible solutions, to which Fuller agreed.
