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Florence BZA approves variance for Stefano’s storage building on South Irby Street
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing Stefano’s restaurant to place an accessory storage building behind its unit at 2600 South Irby Street despite a 150-foot street-side setback requirement in the Unified Development Ordinance.
The Board of Zoning Appeals on an evening vote approved a variance allowing Stefano’s restaurant to install an accessory storage building behind its unit at 2600 South Irby Street.
City staff told the board the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) requires accessory storage buildings larger than 120 square feet in commercial districts to be no less than 150 feet from the street right-of-way and completely screened from adjacent properties and rights of way. Because Stefano’s unit sits at the southernmost end of a shopping center abutting Freedom Boulevard, staff said the restaurant cannot meet the 150-foot setback while keeping the structure adjacent to the restaurant’s rear door.
Staff described the proposed building location as directly behind the unit occupied by Stefano’s and visible only from Freedom Boulevard when heading west. The staff report noted other storage buildings already sit in the rear of the shopping center and that placing the storage elsewhere on the lot would prevent the structure from serving the restaurant efficiently and would make it harder for staff to monitor against vandalism.
Applicant Steven Toniolo, sworn before speaking, said Elaine (city staff) “pretty much covered everything,” and said Stefano’s has a verbal agreement to lease an adjacent vacant space next year. Toniolo said the existing smaller, deteriorated storage structure would be removed and replaced with a larger building, painted to match the back of the shopping center to blend in.
In making the motion to approve, the board found that strict enforcement of the 150-foot setback would cause unnecessary hardship because it would prevent the restaurant from locating the building in the most convenient and observable place; that the proposal would not be contrary to the public interest; and that the variance would not substantially detract from adjacent properties or public good. The board noted the structure would sit behind the shopping center and have negligible impact on South Irby Street and only limited visibility from Freedom Boulevard. The board also noted the proposed structure could be removed if future conditions warranted.
The motion passed with the ayes prevailing and the variance was approved.
