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Planning Commission grants three waivers for Forbes Dental expansion on Tavern Road
Summary
The commission approved three waivers allowing a small addition to Forbes Dental, including reductions to the front setback, drive aisle width (conditioned on NFPA clearance), and parking setbacks, subject to listed conditions.
The Berkeley County Planning Commission approved three waiver requests for Forbes Dental (files 2412-368 and 2412-367) that will allow a 168-square-foot addition to an existing building on Tavern Road in the Hedgesville district.
Staff described the waivers requested by developer Devano Forbes and engineer Fox and Associates: 1) a reduction of the 50-foot front setback to 33 feet, 2) a reduction of required drive aisle width from 24 feet to 20 feet on the east side, and 3) a reduction of parking setbacks from 8 feet to 2 feet on the west side and 0 feet on the east side. Staff said the existing structure and adjoining properties have similar setbacks and that National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) clearance requires a minimum 20-foot drive aisle for fire apparatus; staff recommended approval of the waivers subject to conditions that include maintaining a 20-foot clear drive aisle and setting the front driveway apron and signage at least 8 feet from the highway reserve dedication.
Flint Rock, representing Vox and Associates, appeared for the applicant. Commissioners moved through each waiver individually: Tim Lewis moved and Aaron Goff seconded approval of the front-setback waiver, which passed; commissioners then approved the drive-aisle waiver conditioned on maintaining NFPA clearance and the parking-setback waiver. Planning staff noted that the site is already largely built out and that approvals recognize existing conditions.
These waivers allow the modest expansion while imposing conditions designed to preserve emergency access and future roadway reservation.
