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Board approves variance for backyard outbuilding at 303 South Georgia Avenue
Summary
The Martinsburg Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing a backyard outbuilding to sit 5 feet from a side property line and to exceed the maximum front setback for an outbuilding at 303 South Georgia Avenue after the applicant and staff described lot constraints and a neighboring owner signaled support by email.
The Martinsburg Board of Zoning Appeals on March 4 approved a variance allowing a backyard outbuilding at 303 South Georgia Avenue to sit 5 feet from a side property line and to exceed the ordinance front-setback requirement.
The applicant, Joshua Murray, told the board his house “sits far too far back” on the lot to meet the front-setback rule and said placing the outbuilding where he proposes would be “both more convenient for myself and I believe would be more acceptable to my neighbors.” Planning staff described the request as an adjustment to the front and side setbacks for an outbuilding and noted the applicant was requesting a 5-foot side setback where the SR1 District requires a 10-foot minimum.
Kyle (Planning staff) said the applicant proposed a 20‑by‑12 by 20 outbuilding and that the measured distances put the structure roughly 119 feet from the front property line and about 5 feet from the rear inside the property lines, and that this constituted an adjustment to the side and front setbacks required for outbuildings in the SR1 district. He told the board the front‑setback requirement for an outbuilding in SR1 is “10 feet plus the front setback,” and summarized the numerical requirement included in the staff report.
Chairman Bryant opened the public hearing portion; the record included an email from a neighbor, Robert Evans of 302 South Georgia Avenue, expressing support. After the board discussed the site configuration and agreed the house orientation and neighboring backyard arrangement created a substantial buffer, a member moved to approve the variance and another member seconded. The board voted to approve the motion.
No conditions were placed on the approval in the board’s motion as recorded at the meeting. The applicant was told the city would send a letter within 30 days confirming the decision and that the decision may be appealed in circuit court within 30 days.
The approval applies only to the specific variances discussed at the hearing: a reduced side setback (requested 5 feet) and permission to exceed the cited front‑setback maximum for an outbuilding at this lot. Requirements in the staff report remain applicable, including any building or zoning permits and inspections needed to finalize construction.
