Florence board of adjustments denies variance allowing storage containers before main building at 360 North Park

The Florence Board of Adjustment on July 21 denied an appeal seeking a variance to keep accessory storage containers on the lot at 360 North Park Street before a main building is completed, voting 4-3 to deny the request.

The applicant, identified in the hearing as Mr. Aldolph, told the board he bought the property to relocate his educational game-and-STEM-oriented retail operation and that some of the containers hold merchandise and construction materials. "We are more than just a game store," Aldolph said, describing prior experience building children's museums and educational exhibits and saying the store would support STEM and STEAM programs. He told the board he had applied for a building permit in May and submitted a design-review application in June and expected construction to take roughly four to six months once permits were in hand.

Town Attorney Cliff explained the legal standard the board must apply. "The applicant is required to show evidence that there are special circumstances or conditions applying to the land," Cliff said, adding that variances are generally justified by topography or other land constraints and not by conditions the applicant caused. He told the…