Rutherford County appeals board approves accessory-dwelling requests, group childcare conversion and a major home-based business

The Rutherford County Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 1 approved a series of zoning requests that included a detached-accessory-structure variance, three accessory-dwelling unit (ADU) exceptions, a group childcare conversion and a major home-based business application.

The most contested request was Application 20 25 32, a variance for Gregory and Catherine McKinley at 2468 Cross Park Drive to allow 2,400 square feet of detached accessory structure area — 178 square feet above the 2,222-square-foot allotment for a 1.02-acre lot under Section 11.0.1.d.4 of the Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance. Planning staff said the request is largely self-created and "does not meet all of the criteria," though neighbors in the area provided a letter of support. Applicant Greg McKinley said he demolished an older 800-square-foot building and proposed a new 40-by-56 structure, noting it is "18 square feet larger than what's allowed" and, as he put it, roughly "6 inches of building." The board approved the variance on a roll-call vote (Mike Curtis — No; Amber Brown — Yes; Jerry Sartain — Yes; Gary Farley — Yes; Renee Curtis — Yes; Patrick Hale — Yes; Zane Cantrell — Yes).

The board also approved three requests related to accessory dwelling units. Application 20 25 33 (6042 Sedg Ridge Avenue) sought a 960-square-foot manufactured-home ADU for a family member; staff referenced a…