Commissioners grant variance for detached garage on Highway 20 East with conditions

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on May 20 granted three variances for a proposed detached accessory structure on a property along Highway 20 East after a public hearing and presentation by the applicant.

Zoning staff summarized that the applicant, Steven (Stephen) Bauer, initially sought a 2,400‑square‑foot metal detached garage at about 24 feet tall, exceeding 50% of the principal structure’s gross square footage and taller than the house. The house on the parcel is roughly 1,500 square feet and about 12 feet tall. After the Zoning Board of Appeals denied the variance, the applicant revised the proposal to an 1,800‑square‑foot structure with a height reduced to about 15 feet and a more muted color scheme. Bauer told the board the lot slopes to the rear and that the building would be largely concealed from the roadway and used for private storage of tractors, boats and vehicles; he also said no business would operate from the structure.

Following the public hearing, Commissioner Carter moved to grant the variances with two conditions: that the building be constructed substantially in accordance with the Slide 6 exhibit presented at the hearing and that no business activity be conducted in the structure. Commissioner Ragsdale seconded; the motion was amended on the record to explicitly list the three variances being approved (to allow the building to exceed the size limitation, to exceed the height limitation, and to be constructed as shown on the exhibit). The motion carried unanimously.

The board’s action overturns the Zoning Board of Appeals denial and grants the requested variances subject to the two conditions. County staff noted the Slide 6 exhibit and location when describing the condition; the applicant agreed the structure would be for private storage only.