Florence BZA grants setback variance to allow detached garage at 1774 Bellevue Drive

The Florence Board of Zoning Appeals on an evening meeting approved a variance allowing a detached garage to be built 4 feet from the side property line at 1774 Bellevue Drive, reducing the code-required 8-foot setback.

The variance was presented by Patty Falcone of the Florence planning department, who said this was her first case before the board and described the applicant’s request: ‘‘The owner wants to locate the building at 4 feet from the side property line instead of the 8 feet required by code,’’ Falcone said, and added the proposed structure will be a one-story building with a 10-foot height. Falcone told the board an earlier notice had mistakenly listed the structure as 20 feet tall; that error prompted a single neighbor call but, after staff clarified the height, the neighbor said they had no objection.

Crystal Fuentes, the property owner and applicant, testified after being sworn in that she and her contractor are seeking the variance so the garage ‘‘aligns with the existing driveway.’’ Fuentes said a small open carport and a tiny shed are already on the lot but that the proposed detached garage cannot meet the full 8-foot setback and the contractor’s measurements were included with the project materials.

Board member Mr. Poston moved to approve the variance, outlining findings that a literal enforcement of the Unified Development Ordinance would cause unnecessary hardship and that the proposed garage, sited behind the plane of the house, would have minimal street impact. Poston said the variance ‘‘would not be contrary to the public interest.’’ Miss Singley seconded the motion. The board voted in favor and the chair declared the motion carried; the variance request was approved.

Votes at a glance: minutes of the Nov. 20, 2025 meeting — approved by voice vote; approval of the 2026 meeting calendar — approved by voice vote; variance for 1774 Bellevue Drive (BZA 2025-19) — approved (motion by Mr. Poston, second by Miss Singley).

What the board said and what happens next: Staff indicated that if the board approved the variance it would be based on the submitted plan and that final building permit review would require the applicant to submit the final measurements and any required surveys. Falcone noted the zoning for the parcel is NC10 and that the primary neighbor affected is the owner of 1778 Bellevue Drive.

The board had no further items, received holiday greetings from staff, and adjourned. The chair closed the meeting by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.