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Dorchester County BZA approves variance allowing second manufactured home on 1.34-acre lot
Summary
At its July 23 meeting the Dorchester County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance for Ryan Gray to reestablish a second dwelling on a 1.34-acre AR-zoned lot, despite staff recommendation to deny based on a 2019 density amendment.
The Dorchester County Board of Zoning Appeals voted July 23 to grant a variance to applicant Ryan Gray to allow a second manufactured home on a 1.34-acre parcel, overriding staff’s recommendation for denial.
The variance, filed as V25-9 and requested by Ryan Gray on behalf of property owner Lisa Michelle Gray, sought an exception to Dorchester County Zoning Ordinance section 9.1.5(a) to allow the lot’s density to exceed one principal dwelling per acre in the AR residential zoning district.
County staff told the board the lot previously contained a second dwelling but that a 2019 amendment to the county code changed the density standard so the parcel is now limited to one dwelling per acre. Staff said the lot’s existing septic system could support reestablishment of a second unit but concluded the request did not meet the ordinance’s variance standards and recommended denial.
At the public hearing, Ryan Gray testified that a septic contractor inspected the remaining septic system and provided an email confirming it is “in working condition” and meets South Carolina guidelines. Gray said the site also has power and a well available for a second unit. The board asked no further questions of the applicant after hearing that verification had been provided.
A board member moved to approve the variance, saying it was justified because a second unit previously existed and because infrastructure is in place to support it. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records “Aye. Aye. The ayes carry.” The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or individual member votes.
Staff and members noted that, while neighboring lots have similar densities and a second unit existed previously on the parcel, the 2019 amendment changed the AR district density standard and staff’s analysis found the application did not meet the formal variance criteria.
The board granted the variance, enabling the property owner to place the second manufactured home where one had previously stood and to use the existing septic system. No further conditions or implementation dates were recorded in the transcript.
The meeting moved on to a second variance request after the vote; no other action related to V25-9 was recorded in the July 23 transcript.
