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Board OKs variances for garage and guest house on Johns Island, with condition barring short-term rental use
Summary
Board granted variances to reduce multiple setbacks for proposed garage and guest house at an AGR lot on Johns Island; the guest house was conditioned not to be used as an ADU or short-term rental.
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved variances reducing front street-side and interior-side setbacks to allow a proposed garage and an attached guest house at 3340 Oak Branch Road on Johns Island, with a staff condition that the guest house not be used as an accessory dwelling unit or short-term rental.
Attorney Ross Appel, representing property owner Gregory Rayburn, said the lot’s unusual shape — the long side fronts Oak Branch Road — plus required 50-foot front street-side setbacks and OCRM critical-area limits greatly restrict the buildable area. Appel said past after-the-fact variances had allowed several structures; one previously approved structure was destroyed by a fallen tree and is now proposed to be replaced by a garage. He emphasized the new proposal reduces the previous encroachment in at least one location and noted two letters of neighbor support in the packet.
Staff recommended the board include a condition that the guest house not be used as an ADU or short-term rental because it does not meet waterfront ADU setbacks; the board approved the motion with a second and one dissenting vote from Mr. Brown, who said he preferred a relocated garage alignment but was outvoted. The board directed the applicant to comply with the single staff condition; final decision will be mailed by certified mail.
