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Board waives parking requirement for 43–45 South Court Street to create eight bedrooms of housing
Summary
The BZA approved a variance allowing zero on‑site parking for a conversion at 43–45 South Court Street that creates four two‑bedroom apartment units (eight bedrooms).
The Athens Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously on May 13 to waive the parking requirement for a proposed conversion at 43–45 South Court Street, allowing zero on‑site parking where the code indicated eight spaces would normally be required.
Architect Richard Schultz and the property owner told the board the project will convert unused upper‑floor space into four apartments (each with two bedrooms). Schultz said the applicant can pursue off‑site arrangements and noted that Uptown zoning (B‑2‑D) allows reduced parking for one‑ and two‑bedroom residential units in certain circumstances.
Schultz and representatives said they have an off‑site lot controlled by the owner (near Stimson Avenue) and that bus service and Uptown location reduce reliance on on‑site parking. Supporters — including local developer Scott Nisley — urged the board to approve housing in Uptown and to consider that parking minimums have historically blocked redevelopment. Nisley told the board the market shows demand for housing above retail and that over‑requiring parking hinders infill housing projects.
Board members reviewed code options, including a 50% reduction available in the B‑2‑D zone for one‑ and two‑bedroom units and off‑site parking rules that require spaces to be within 1,000 feet for an administrative off‑site allowance. The owner’s preferred off‑site lot was farther than 1,000 feet, and rather than pursue a distance variance for leased spaces the applicant requested that the BZA waive the parking requirement for this conversion.
After discussing Uptown precedent, mobility options, and the city’s recent relaxation of some parking rules, the board voted 5‑0 to grant the requested variance to permit zero required on‑site parking for the conversion at 43–45 South Court Street. The zoning office noted that the decision does not preclude the owner from arranging parking off‑site voluntarily and that any future change of use could trigger new parking requirements.
