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Martinsville BZA tables variance for 1580 Josephine Street after site-visit concerns; petitioners told to appear at next meeting
Summary
The Martinsville Board of Zoning Appeals on April 22tabled a request to reduce a side-yard setback at 1580 Josephine Street after applicants failed to appear. Members who visited the site said the proposed plan appeared to fit the lot but raised questions about driveway access and parking on the adjacent Victor Drive.
The Martinsville Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday tabled consideration of a development standards variance for 1580 Josephine Street (Lot 28, John E. Miles Subdivision) after the applicants did not appear at the meeting.
Members reviewed the application to reduce a side-yard setback from 10 feet to 6 feet. A board member who participated in a site visit said the lot had been staked and that “in my opinion, there was room for what they wanted to do. It did not create a hazard as far as cars where they were gonna be parking,” but raised concerns about how vehicle access would function if parking were routed onto Victor Drive.
A resident who spoke at the meeting said Victor Drive looked narrow where the proposed driveway would connect and said two vehicles passing could require one to stop. A different speaker corrected that characterization during discussion, saying, “It happens to be the widest road we have in the city. 60 feet altogether,” and pointed out that Josephine Street is the primary frontage for the lot.
Board staff noted the applicants had previously submitted a diagram and proposed findings of fact; those materials were included with the application but the office had not received additional documentation requested at the prior hearing. The board’s legal/administrative adviser reminded members that the BZA must act within 90 days of the item’s first hearing date unless they choose to table the matter further.
After discussing notice and the absence of the petitioners, a motion to table the application until the next BZA meeting passed by voice vote; board members instructed staff to notify the applicants that the next meeting will be their last opportunity to appear before the board acts.
Ending
The BZA set the next meeting for Tuesday, May 28, 2025. The board did not take a substantive vote on the variance; petitioners were told to appear or the board will take action at the following meeting.
