Florence BZA approves variance for oversized accessory building at 2609 Avent Street

The Florence Board of Zoning Appeals voted to grant a variance allowing an accessory building larger than the size limit in the Unified Development Ordinance for the property at 2609 Avent Street. The owner and applicant, William R. Reynolds, said he needs space to store decades of his father's carpentry tools and equipment.

City staff told the board the parcel is in the Pine Forest area, across Pamlico Highway from MUSC, and is zoned NC-15, a district made up of larger, roughly half-acre lots. Staff recommended approval, saying the lot size and the building's placement behind the existing garage would keep it minimally visible from the street and that a variance "would not be contrary to the public interest." The staff report noted the purpose of the size limit is to prevent structures that dominate rear yards; staff said those concerns are reduced here by the lot's size and setbacks.

Reynolds, who was sworn before testifying, told the board: "My father is a lifelong carpenter. . . I need somewhere to put them," describing accumulated tools and equipment he said would be inconvenient to store in a smaller structure. He confirmed the building would sit on a concrete slab, that no plumbing is planned immediately (but that any future additions would be done to code), and that the proposed setbacks are 10 feet from the side and 10 feet from the rear.

A board member raised the possibility that approving this request could set a precedent for other property owners in the neighborhood. City staff replied that each variance application is evaluated individually and that prior oversized variances had not been recorded in this immediate neighborhood.

Board member Edwards moved to approve the variance, saying it "meets all the standards" and pointing to the lot's size, the house's placement that would screen the structure, and the lack of present objections from neighbors. Poston seconded. The board voted by voice and the chair announced the ayes had it; the motion carried and the variance was approved.

City staff told Reynolds they would send the zoning permit the following day so he could apply for a building permit. No members of the public spoke for or against the request during the meeting.

The board's approval allows the applicant to seek a building permit that would reflect the approved variance; any future changes such as plumbing or other utilities were described as potential later steps subject to building-code review.