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Covington Board of Adjustments approves two variance requests, tables one and records one withdrawal
Summary
At its Feb. 18 meeting the Covington Board of Adjustments accepted minutes, recorded a withdrawal, and approved two variances affecting properties on North Polk Avenue and a Jefferson Street intersection after staff sign-off.
The Board of Adjustments for the City of Covington on Feb. 18 accepted its minutes, recorded the withdrawal of one case, tabled a landscaping variance earlier in the meeting, and ultimately approved two variance requests related to parking and landscaping in downtown Covington.
The actions affect three docketed cases. One case (25-02-06) was withdrawn by the applicant as of February 2025 and the board noted that the matter will be heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission at 6:30. A second case (25-01-02) — a landscaping variance tied to the property at the intersection of West 20 First Avenue and North Jefferson Avenue, municipal address 104 West 20 First Ave — was discussed earlier in the meeting and the petitioners and architect (Architects Plus / Joseph Richard) initially were not present. Board members said they would wait for the petitioners, and the case was briefly tabled; later in the meeting the board proceeded to act after staff reported the city planner had approved the submitted plan and the board voted to approve the item.
The third case, 25-02-07, sought two variances for property at 111 North Polk Avenue at the corner of West 20 First Avenue and North Polk Avenue. The petition by Ivan Milicic requested relief from Appendix B, Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Part 4, Section 4.208 (landscaping and tree preservation, street planting requirements) to allow an existing nonconforming landscape area along North Polk Avenue to remain, and relief from Appendix B Part 4, Section 4.1 (off-street parking) to reduce required parking. The petitioner amended the parking request during the hearing: instead of reducing required parking from 10 spaces to 8, the request was amended to reduce the required on-site parking to 4 spaces to enable compliance with on-street parking rules (the petitioner explained the amended calculation that affects how many on-street spaces would be required). Ivan Milicic told the board he has operated a business at the site for about 35 years and said he will plant trees and landscaping along Polk Street.
After staff confirmed the site plan and city planner sign-off, the board voted unanimously to approve the amended variance request for 111 North Polk Avenue. The board also voted unanimously to approve the Jefferson Street intersection item after staff confirmation; minutes acceptance earlier in the meeting also passed unanimously.
Throughout the meeting no commissioner recorded a dissenting vote on the actions taken. The board reminded commissioners to complete mandated ethics requirements by Feb. 28 and adjourned; a meeting was scheduled for March 17.
Votes at a glance - Acceptance of minutes: motion passed (roll call: Miss Butler yes; Mr. Gilley yes; Miss Williams yes; Mr. Lucas yes; Mr. Romage yes). - Case 25-02-06: withdrawn by applicant as of Feb. 2025; noted will be heard by Planning and Zoning Commission at 6:30 (no board vote recorded). - Case 25-01-02 (104 West 20 First Ave at North Jefferson Ave): initially tabled when petitioners were not present; later approved after staff reported city planner approval (roll call: Miss Butler yes; Mr. Gilley yes; Miss Williams yes; Mr. Lucas yes; Mr. Romage yes). - Case 25-02-07 (111 North Polk Ave, petitioner Ivan Milicic): variance to allow existing nonconforming landscaping and to reduce required on-site parking (amended from 10 spaces to 4 on-site) — approved unanimously (roll call: Miss Butler yes; Mr. Gilley yes; Miss Williams yes; Mr. Lucas yes; Mr. Romage yes).
Context and limits The board’s approvals were contingent on staff and the city planner’s sign-off of the submitted site and landscaping plans. The transcript indicates applicants or their representatives were not present for portions of the meeting; where staff confirmed plan approval the board proceeded to vote. Citations in discussion referenced Appendix B of the City’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (Part 4, Sections 4.208 and 4.1). The record does not show any recorded votes against the approvals, nor does it show implemented conditions beyond requiring the submitted plans be met.
Ending The board adjourned after reminding commissioners of ethics training requirements; the next Board of Adjustments meeting was set for March 17.
