Habitat modular home planned at 301 Walnut; town considers zoning changes to reduce repetitive variance requests

The town administrator told the board that Habitat for Humanity will develop the quarter lot at 301 Walnut Street with a modular ranch-style home. He said the unit will be delivered in about two weeks, stored on-site with open sides closed with plywood, raised on blocks and winterized while awaiting the foundation; completion was described as expected around February of next year in the meeting remarks.

The administrator noted that the house was initially planned to be about "64 square feet smaller than what was permitted by the zoning code" and that the builder ultimately decided to build to the permitted size rather than pursue a variance. He said staff and Habitat have coordinated with the county Department of Public Works regarding stormwater management requirements.

Separately, the administrator described two recent variance approvals (porch/overhang encroachments in Valley View and Cooper Avenue). He said the Board of Zoning Appeals recommended the Planning Commission examine whether repeatedly issued variances indicate a need to change the zoning code; the proposal under discussion would establish objective criteria allowing staff to approve narrowly focused encroachments administratively — the example figure cited in the meeting was "no more than 28%" of front-yard encroachment — but any formal change would require a zoning ordinance amendment recommended by the Planning Commission and adopted by the elected body.

The town asked for volunteers to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals, noting the appeals board was operating with only two members on a five-member board.