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Board continues hearing on proposed storage building at 88 Underwood Road after neighbors and applicant raise concerns
Summary
The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment continued a hearing on a variance request from Wes Stroop (AKRS Investments) to allow reduced setbacks for a proposed storage building at 88 Underwood Road. Neighbors raised concerns about use, odor and neighborhood character; the applicant agreed to a continuance to refine plans.
The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment continued the public hearing on a variance request from Wes Stroop (AKRS Investments) for property at 88 Underwood Road after discussion about right-of-way impacts, building size and neighboring residences.
Jason Payne, presenting staff, oriented the board to the site and the requested reductions to the 20-foot setbacks on multiple sides. Payne said the applicant asked for reduced setbacks on three sides to accommodate a proposed storage building; the most substantial request was a reduction near the N.C. Department of Transportation right of way that would leave as little as 2 feet between the proposed structure and the county right-of-way line.
Stroop described his business (environmental services and portable sanitation) and said indoor storage was required by his insurer and for theft- and vandalism-risk management. He said DOT and county setbacks combined with the parcel’s small size left little room to build; he described a 50-by-80-foot building as his minimum to house company equipment and portable toilets. “If the existing setbacks are applied to the fullest extent then I can't make any reasonable use of that property,” Stroop told the board.
Neighbors and nearby property owners spoke. Jeremiah Marske, a commercial neighbor, and homeowner Sharon Welch both testified; Marske said existing setbacks and the DOT right-of-way materially reduce buildable area and urged approval, while Welch said she was concerned about a metal building, potential odor from stored portable toilets and neighborhood character.
Board members questioned the applicant about alternatives, whether a smaller building would meet business needs, utility availability and fire-code separation between structures. Staff confirmed the fire marshal typically requires 20 feet of separation between buildings unless fire-rated construction or other measures are used.
Given remaining uncertainty (survey detail, exact setback measurements, coordination with the fire marshal and possible reconfiguration of the proposal), the applicant agreed to a continuance. The board voted to continue the item to the next regular meeting to allow the applicant and staff to finalize measurements and coordinate with other departments.
