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Town and Country holds public hearings on two accessory-structure conditional-use requests
Summary
The Board of Aldermen opened public hearings Nov. 12 on conditional-use permit requests for accessory structures at properties on Manderley Veil Drive and Mason Road. Planning staff and commissioners noted the city's decades-old accessory-structure rules and said staff will explore potential amendments.
The Board of Aldermen of the City of Town and Country opened public hearings on Nov. 12 to consider conditional-use permit requests for accessory structures at two residential properties.
Mayor Raine read public-notice exhibits and opened the hearing for bill 24-56, a request by Ted Palmer for a conditional-use permit for an accessory pergola at 14236 Manderley Veil Drive. The city clerk entered three exhibits, including an affidavit of publication dated Oct. 25, 2024, and notice mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the subject property. Mayor Raine invited Mr. Coleman, the owner or owner's representative, to the podium to answer questions; the mayor noted the Planning & Zoning commission had approved the request unanimously.
"I did come here to answer questions about this request," Mr. Coleman said, and also offered remarks thanking volunteers and donors for the veterans memorial project.
Later in the meeting the board opened a public hearing on bill 24-57, a conditional-use permit request by Alex Mazapiro for a storage building at 1707 Mason Road in the suburban estate zoning district. The clerk again entered the published notice and mailing exhibits. Mayor Raine introduced the owner's representative (recorded in the transcript as "Ken by Alka") to take questions.
Alderman Louisiana questioned the practicality of the city's 140-square-foot limit for accessory structures and asked whether the rule imposes undue burdens on homeowners seeking modest storage buildings. "The 140 square feet, it's a lot to ask, in my opinion, for, to go through the initial use permit," Louisiana said.
A planning commission representative responded that there are two schools of thought: one favoring strict restrictions and one favoring more flexibility. The speaker said a survey shows Town and Country is "probably the most restrictive" among peer cities on accessory-structure limits and described the regulation as roughly 40 years old. "The staff will support investigating potential amendments," the planning representative said.
Why it matters: Conditional-use hearings are required where a proposed accessory structure exceeds by-right standards in zoning regulations. The board heard public testimony and staff input but took no final vote on either bill on Nov. 12; the mayor continued consideration of the bills to the Nov. 25 meeting.
The hearing record will be part of the board's Nov. 25 agenda when members consider whether to approve the ordinances or send them back for revisions.
Provenance: First appearance in transcript: SEG 117; last related discussion: SEG 234.
Speakers (from transcript): Mayor Raine (Mayor), Mr. Coleman (owner/representative), Alex Mazapiro (owner, as named in the notice), Ken by Alka (owner's representative, as named in the transcript), Alderman Louisiana (Alderman), Planning Commission Representative (planning/P&Z speaker).
