The Fort Scott Board of Appeals voted to approve a variance for 620 South Crawford, allowing the applicant to build a small house on a nonconforming lot contingent on a verified survey showing the proposed structure meets required setbacks.

Zoning staff told the board the Crawford property is a nonconforming lot and that the city's minimum lot size for building a structure is 5,600 square feet. Staff said the lot falls short of that standard and described the discrepancy as more than the department's 10% administrative variance threshold, placing the decision with the board. Staff explained the applicant's plan stays within front, side and rear setbacks as presented, but the approval was made contingent on the board receiving a certified survey to confirm property lines.

Applicant "Mr. Eslinger" told the board he intends to build a handicap-accessible, one-bedroom house about 780 square feet and said his contractor has been ready since December. The plan presented to the board shows a house approximately 24 to 26 feet wide with roughly six-foot side-yard setbacks as measured for the proposed design.

Several neighbors spoke in opposition or concern. Kenneth Manley, a resident at 614 South Crawford who said he and his wife recently bought their house, asked the board to reconsider granting a variance for a much smaller, one-bedroom house in a neighborhood of larger homes and said he would be willing to negotiate to buy the lot to prevent the variance. A local realtor identified as Becky (Bourbon County Properties) said she had found alternative full-size lots that might suit the applicant and offered to assist in relocation.

Other neighbors questioned marketability and resale value of a 780-square-foot, one-bedroom house in the area; supporters and other commenters said a new house on the lot could improve conditions compared with a vacant or dilapidated structure. Board members asked whether the applicant had spoken to neighbors (the applicant said he had had one conversation on Sunday) and whether property lines had been pinned; staff advised that a survey and site plans should be submitted to confirm boundaries before issuing building permits.

A board member moved to approve the variance contingent on verification of the property lines and that the proposed structure meet the setbacks as presented; another member seconded. In roll-call, Josh Jones, Robert Nelson, Denise Doherty, Bridal Rhodes and Matthew Witt voted yes and the motion carried. The board noted that any approved variance must be recorded at the county deeds office as required for public record and that site plans and a stamped survey should be submitted before permits will be issued.

Next steps identified by staff: the applicant must provide a certified survey and final site plans to planning staff; staff will verify setbacks and, if consistent with the approved presentation, the applicant may proceed to obtain building permits. The board's approval was explicitly contingent on that verification.

Votes at a glance: variance for 620 South Crawford — approved (contingent on verified survey and confirmed setbacks).