Board grants variance for John Hodge at 11468 Cathy Ridge Road, citing hardship standards

The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance Sept. 18 for John Hodge at 11468 Cathy Ridge Road to allow use of a parcel that fell short of the five-acre minimum. John Hodge told the board he had sold part of a larger tract earlier this year and that changes to zoning rules left the remaining parcel below the five-acre threshold; he said he plans to place a manufactured home on the retained parcel and use the existing house for storage. During discussion board members noted the property’s topography — including a bluff and an area that previously burned — and noted Hodge has two approved soil sites for septic. Commissioner comments referenced the variance standards D‑1 and D‑3; a motion under D‑1 was made and seconded and the board voted to grant the variance. Nut graf: The board found that, for reasons entered into the record, strict application of the five-acre requirement would deprive the owner of reasonable use of the land and cited the variance standards before approving the request. Board members confirmed that the property was about seven-tenths of an acre short of the five-acre minimum and that the owner did not intend to rent the existing house but would use it for storage. The motion was carried after the board read the standard variance language into the record; the transcript records voice approval without a roll-call tally. Ending: The applicant was handed his survey before leaving and the board noted any necessary signatures on documents would be obtained to finalize the approved variance.