Cherokee County board denies shared-access variance, approves sign and accessory-structure variances; two larger projects postponed

The Cherokee County Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 11 denied a variance request that would have allowed five lots to use a single 20-foot shared driveway instead of meeting the county's rural-subdivision road standards, approved several accessory-structure and signage variances, and postponed two larger development items to the Nov. 13 meeting.

Madam Chair opened the meeting by noting there were four members present and that "in the event of a tie vote, the variance is considered to be denied," a procedural point the board repeated during consideration of several items.

The board voted 4-0 to deny case 250953V, an application by applicant Walt Linscott asking to treat a 20-foot shared easement as the primary access for five lots off Sparen Road and to waive multiple development-standards in Articles 4 and 5 of the Cherokee County development regulations. Planning staff told the board the minor-subdivision plat had originally shown individual 20-foot access easements for each lot and that the county's rural-subdivision rules require a 60-foot shared-access easement built to county standards. The staff report and applicant materials said the owners preferred a single, narrower shared driveway to limit earth disturbance and preserve trees and stream buffers along Cahn's Creek and Collins Creek, and the applicant noted an existing gravel driveway on the site has existed for more than 50 years. The board's motion to deny was made by Mr. Ragsdale and seconded by Ms. Stoss; the motion carried 4-0.

Votes at a glance

- 250953V (Walt Linscott) — Request: Allow five lots to be served by a 20-foot shared easement in lieu of a 60-foot rural subdivision private street and to waive construction standards. Outcome: Denied. Motion to deny by Mr. Ragsdale; seconded…