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Board grants front-setback variance for 507 Henderson Street in Maryville
Summary
The Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals voted to grant a front-setback variance allowing a reduction from the standard 30-foot setback to about 20 feet, 5 inches for a corner lot at 507 Henderson Street so a new single-family house can be built.
The Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals on a unanimous voice vote granted a front-setback variance for 507 Henderson Street in Maryville, allowing the applicant to reduce the normal 30-foot front setback to about 20 feet, 5 inches.
Cameron, a zoning staff member, told the board the lot is an existing nonconforming parcel platted before current regulations and measures about 8,900 square feet. "The front setback would normally be 30 feet, but they are asking to reduce it to 20 feet and 5 inches," Cameron said, adding that without approximately a 10-foot variance "they're not gonna be able to build very much." Cameron also said the proposed house footprint is about 26 feet wide.
Allen Bernard, the surveyor representing the owner, told the board there are three lots of record within one tax parcel and that Lot 9 — the corner lot facing Clark and Henderson streets — is the lot needing relief. "If a 30 foot setback were required from Henderson Street, they would only have a 17 foot wide building space there, and you can't really put a house on a 17 foot wide building footprint," Bernard said.
Board members asked about vehicle parking and pedestrian impacts. Cameron said there is no sidewalk along Henderson Street and that there is roughly 24.7 feet from the proposed garage to the right-of-way edge, allowing typical vehicles to park off pavement: "you'll have well over 30 feet of space between the garage and the edge of pavement," he said.
A board member moved to grant the variance "in accordance with 11-6-f," stating the statutory standards had been met; a second was recorded and the motion passed. The chair announced the variance was granted.
The decision permits the applicant to demolish the existing house on the parcel and construct a new single-family dwelling oriented to Clark Street, with garage access from Henderson. The board did not record any public opposition during the meeting; Cameron said a neighbor had called to confirm the proposal and was satisfied it would remain a single-family dwelling rather than multi-unit development.
The board did not set additional conditions on the approval during the hearing. Next steps for the applicant are to obtain any required building permits and follow county permit processes.
