Berkeley County BZA approves multiple variances, denies car-dealership buffer request

The Berkeley County Board of Zoning Appeals on June 1 approved several variances and a special exception and denied a request to remove buffer requirements at an existing car dealership.

The board granted a special exception for outdoor equipment and vehicle storage at a commercial-zoned lot, but conditioned approval on meeting county buffer-yard and screening requirements. Board members also approved multiple residential and accessory-structure variances, including replacements for nonpermanent sheds and front-yard garage setbacks, and granted variances for an industrial property to use an adjacent parcel for outdoor storage of aggregates. In a separate vote the board denied a request from a car-dealership applicant to remove or significantly reduce required buffer yards along public road frontages.

Why it matters: The decisions affect what property owners around the county can place on their lots and how those uses must be screened from neighboring residential areas and roadways. Several approvals included explicit conditions requiring buffer yards, fencing types or reduced sign sizes, underscoring the board’s continued emphasis on screening and visual impact in mixed-use areas.

David Colles, identified in the record as the applicant for a special exception at a general-commercial property, told the board, "I park my equipment there," explaining he uses the fenced site to store trucks and equipment because he operates a small trucking company and "didn't have the monies to do the actual building for the marine storage" he had planned. County staff confirmed chain-link fencing would not meet fencing requirements unless additionally screened, and staff said required vegetation buffers must be installed. The board approved the special exception on a motion conditioned on compliance with buffer yards and screening requirements.

At least three applicants received variances for residential accessory structures. Christine Benson Flanagan requested and received a variance to replace a nonpermanent shed with another nonpermanent shed at 340 Lake Moultrie Drive; she said the new structure will house a six-seat golf cart and mobility equipment and that the replacement would occupy the same footprint as the prior shed. Lisa Botherford asked for a variance to retain a 30-by-30 garage she had begun preparing a pad for; the board granted a front-yard setback of 16 feet from the front property line so the garage would not sit in front of the house. Robbie McDaniel sought permission to place a metal building in his front yard; the board approved variances to allow the structure in the front yard and to locate it 16 feet from the front property line and 11 feet from a side easement.

Independent Properties LLC asked to use an adjacent parcel at 1496 Old Dairy Road for outdoor storage of construction aggregates and requested relief from screening requirements. Representative Chad Andrews said the stockpiles would be on the far west end of the property with wooded buffers and a retention pond between the storage and nearby residences. The board approved the variance as requested; county staff said any future code issues would be handled by code enforcement and that the decision and conditions would inform enforcement.

Natasha Lowe appeared on behalf of Daniel Cruz (deployed) seeking to remove or reduce buffer yards for an existing car dealership at 3151 South Live Oak Drive so the site would retain visibility along roadway frontages. Board member Miss Burbage recorded concern that the property "is already grandfathered" and that eliminating buffers would affect residential neighbors. The board voted to deny the variance request to remove the buffer yards.

South Carolina Federal Credit Union sought a variance to allow a second monument sign at its planned financial center near Myers Road and Main Road after selling frontage for a South Carolina Department of Transportation project. Toby Turberville, vice president of facilities, said the second sign was needed to mark a separate entrance on Myers Road. The board approved the sign variance; board members discussed a reduced-size option but ultimately granted the request as presented.

Sam Felco requested a variance to place a 72-foot manufactured home on a 40-by-100 lot in Maple Ridge, where many lots predate current setback standards. Felco said he could revise the proposal to place the home to align with adjacent houses. The board approved a modified condition putting the home 20 feet from the front property line and 8 feet from the rear, with stairs and side setbacks to be verified as part of the permit process.

The board denied a requested height variance from Gary Beremi for a house on a narrow flag lot in a flood zone. Beremi asked for an 8-foot height variance to allow a drive-under home so vehicles could be parked beneath the elevated structure. The board voted to deny that variance; staff explained a house built to 40 feet or less would not require a variance.

Votes at a glance - Special exception for outdoor storage (applicant: David Colles): Approved; condition that required buffer yards and screening be met (motion by Miss Burbage; second by Mister Mills). - Variance to replace nonpermanent shed (applicants: Christine Benson Flanagan & Vincent Flanagan, 340 Lake Moultrie Drive): Approved (motion by Mister George; second by Mister Shire). - Variance to retain 30x30 garage and front-yard setback (applicant: Lisa Botherford, 401 Lake Moultrie Drive): Approved to allow 16-foot front setback (motion by Mister Shire; second by Mister Mills). - Variance to place metal building in front yard and reduce setbacks (applicant: Robbie McDaniel): Approved to allow building in front yard, 16 feet from front property line and 11 feet from side easement (motion by Mister Smith; second by Mister Jefferson). - Variance to modify buffer yards for car dealership (applicant: Daniel Cruz / representative Natasha Lowe): Denied (motion to deny by Miss Burbage; second by Mister Mills). - Variance to use adjacent parcel for outdoor storage of aggregates and screening relief (applicant: Independence Properties LLC / Chad Andrews, 1496 Old Dairy Road): Approved (motion by Miss Burbage; second by Mister Jefferson). - Sign variance for second monument sign (applicant: South Carolina Federal Credit Union / Toby Turberville): Approved (motion by Mister Shire; second by Mister Jefferson). - Variance to allow 72-foot manufactured home on 40x100 lot (applicant: Sam Felco, 317 Paul Street): Approved with amended setbacks (20 feet front, 8 feet rear; conditions to include stairs and side setbacks) (motion by Mister Smith; second by Mister Mills). - Height variance for house on narrow flag lot in flood zone (applicant: Gary Beremi, 130 Collins Hill Lane): Denied (motion by Mister Mallo; second by Miss Burbage).

The board’s decisions were almost all voice votes called during the meeting; most approvals included explicit conditions requiring compliance with county buffer, screening or setback standards before final permits or certificates of occupancy would be issued. County planning staff advised the board on setback measurements, buffer types, and existing nonconforming conditions for several sites.

The board took no additional departmental updates and adjourned the meeting.