Board approves four zoning requests on consent, including church site and setback variances

The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals approved four items on its consent agenda at the May 1 hearing, clearing a special exception application for a church and three variance requests without public opposition.

Metro Zoning Administrator Joey Hargis presented the consent list and said the cases were recommended for approval after review. He told the room, "If you're here for cases 17, 33, 40, and 401, your cases have been approved. You're free to go about your day. Be sure to follow-up with the codes department beginning on Monday, regarding permits and subsequent approvals that you might need for your case." The board then voted to adopt the consent agenda.

The approved items were: case 2025-17, an application by Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church of Nashville and appellant Mr. Kopral for a special exception to allow construction of a church at the Dabbs Avenue address listed in the record; case 2025-33 (added to the agenda) for property at 904 Douglas Avenue, recommended for hardship due to site topography and a large easement; case 2025-40, a variance for 3901 Baxter Avenue to allow an addition encroaching into a street setback; and case 2025-41, a rear-setback variance to build a garage at 1517 Mary Street by appellants Martha Butterfield and Randy Haley.

Hargis said the chair reviewed the records and recommended the items for consent when testimony was unlikely to alter material facts. No parties registered opposition when each case was called, and the board approved the consent slate by voice vote. Hargis directed applicants to contact the codes office Monday to begin permit and sign-off processes.

Because these matters were decided on the consent agenda, the board did not hear extended testimony. The board did not attach additional conditions to these approvals during the hearing.