Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Florence City BZA approves variance for detached garage at 1858 Devonshire Drive
Summary
The Florence City Board of Zoning Appeals granted Truman and Heather Flowers a variance to build a 22-by-30-foot detached garage at 1858 Devonshire Drive, reducing the required side setback from 10 feet to 5 feet and allowing total lot impervious surface of about 47%, above the 40% cap in the Unified Development Ordinance.
The Florence City Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing Truman and Heather Flowers to construct a 22-by-30-foot detached garage at 1858 Devonshire Drive that will sit 5 feet from the side property line and increase the parcel's impervious surface to about 47%.
City staff presented the request, saying the parcel is zoned Neighborhood Conservation 15 and that the Unified Development Ordinance requires a 10-foot side setback for accessory buildings and caps total impervious surface at 40%. Staff described site constraints'an existing circular driveway, the house footprint and an above-ground pool'that limit alternate locations for a garage and noted the applicant provided a site plan showing a 9-foot building height and an 8-foot door.
Staff also reported public notice procedures: mailed notices to adjacent property owners, a sign posted in the yard and a newspaper listing. The applicant said he had emailed consent from the property at 1854 Devonshire Drive and verbal consent from the neighbor at 1862; staff said it had received no calls opposing the request. No members of the public spoke for or against the variance at the hearing.
Board member Preston moved to grant the variance, citing findings that strict application of the ordinance would cause unnecessary hardship given the lot's layout and existing structures and that granting the variance would not substantially harm adjacent property or the public good. The motion was seconded by Miss Singley. The board voted in favor; the chair declared the motion carried and approved the variance.
The board's approval covers two reliefs: a reduction of the side setback from 10 feet to 5 feet for the detached accessory building and a 7-percentage-point increase in total impervious surface (from the 40% cap to approximately 47%) to accommodate a driveway extension and parking pad associated with the garage. Staff noted surrounding properties contain accessory buildings and impervious surfaces that predate the current ordinance and presented aerial photos to show neighborhood context.
With the vote, the Flowers may proceed with permitting consistent with the variance. The board had no other items on the agenda and adjourned.
