Florence Board of Zoning Appeals approves six variances, including cemetery maintenance yard and McQueen lot split

The Florence City Board of Zoning Appeals met at 6 p.m. and approved six variance requests after staff reports, applicant testimony and brief questioning.

City staff said the first approved request, BZA 2026‑01 at 1908 Damon Drive, sought relief from the NC‑15 30‑foot rear setback so the owner could convert an existing porch to a sunroom and build a new covered back porch. "So Dan Maxwell, who's also here in the audience, the owner, wants to build the addition on the back," said Michael Padgett of Padgett Engineering and Construction during his sworn testimony, explaining the corner‑lot orientation and an existing pool reduce buildable depth. Staff noted the proposed porch would reduce the rear setback from about 35 feet to roughly 18 feet and reported the nearest neighbor had emailed that she did not object. The board voted to grant the variance, citing hardship and minimal street impact.

At 1326 Hillside Avenue (BZA 2026‑02), staff described a topographically constrained lot that forces the pool house into what would technically be a side yard; the proposed 14‑foot structure would sit behind a block wall and masonry fence. "I'm Louie Hopkins with Hopkins Builders," Hopkins told the board, noting he lives in the neighborhood and serves as chair of its architectural review board and that he had spoken with neighbors about the plan. Commissioners approved the variance after finding the lot's configuration and slope create an exceptional condition.

The board also approved a pair of variances for accessory buildings on larger, constrained lots. At 1070 Rock Creek Drive (BZA 2026‑03), staff said an oversized accessory building (about 1,620 sq ft and roughly 17 feet tall) is proposed so the owner can shelter a camper and boat outside the regulated 100‑year floodplain. Applicant Scott Little testified he had surveyed the lot to avoid regulated flood areas and that adjacent neighbors had no objections; the board approved the variance. At 917 Wisteria Drive (BZA 2026‑04), staff reported the applicant would replace an existing carport on an existing concrete pad with a 378‑square‑foot storage building that sits approximately six feet from the side property line where 10 feet is required; the applicant was not present but staff confirmed the proposal replaces an on‑site carport. The board approved the variance.

A different type of setback request, BZA 2026‑05, involved the Florence National Cemetery Annex at 803 E. National Cemetery Road. Staff explained the OSR (Open Space and Recreation) district has 50‑foot setback requirements, but wetlands, a desire to preserve grave sites and the need for operational efficiency led the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs applicant to seek a 9‑foot setback for a sand/gravel material storage bin adjacent to an undeveloped county parcel. Taqi Mohammed, program manager for the National Cemetery Administration, described the project as an improvement that will remove an existing administrative building within the 50‑foot zone and allow more efficient maintenance operations. The board approved the encroachment, finding the cemetery parcel's unique constraints satisfied UDO variance criteria.

Finally, at 608 South McQueen Street in the Timrod Park historic overlay (BZA 2026‑06), the board approved a variance to create two 48‑foot‑frontage lots from an existing double parcel. Applicant Fields Norwood Jr. said he planned single‑family homes to bring new families into the neighborhood rather than rentals. Nearby resident Monica Amastus told the board the demolished house had been "an eyesore" and said she opposed more rentals; she urged bungalow or craftsman styles compatible with the historic overlay. The board cited neighborhood lot patterns, the design overlay's raised‑foundation and stylistic requirements, and prior design‑review approvals in granting the variance.

All motions were approved following standard UDO findings recited on the record (public interest, extraordinary conditions, no substantial detriment to adjacent property). The board had no staff announcements and adjourned after the votes.

Votes at a glance - BZA 2026‑01 (1908 Damon Drive): variance from NC‑15 rear setback (proposed ~18 ft vs. required 30 ft). Outcome: approved. Applicant: Michael Padgett (Padgett Engineering and Construction). Owner: Danielle and Cynthia Maxwell. - BZA 2026‑02 (1326 Hillside Ave): variance for accessory building location/spacing/side and rear setbacks (pool house). Outcome: approved. Applicants: Brandis and Woody Swink. Builder: Louie Hopkins (Hopkins Builders). - BZA 2026‑03 (1070 Rock Creek Dr): variance for oversized accessory building (~1,620 sq ft; 17 ft tall). Outcome: approved. Applicant/owner: Scott Little. - BZA 2026‑04 (917 Wisteria Dr): variance from interior side setback for 378‑sq‑ft storage building (proposed ~6 ft vs. required 10 ft). Outcome: approved. Applicant: Kaylee Elmore (not present). - BZA 2026‑05 (803 E. National Cemetery Rd): OSR setback encroachment for maintenance yard and sand/gravel storage bin (proposed ~9 ft vs. required 50 ft). Outcome: approved. Applicant representative: Taqi Mohammed, National Cemetery Administration (for Jordan VanderMeer / U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). - BZA 2026‑06 (608 S McQueen St): variance to create two lots with ~48 ft frontage (Timrod Park historic overlay). Outcome: approved. Applicant: Fields Norwood Jr.

What happens next Consent decrees, conditions or required design‑review approvals were not listed as conditions on the record for these approvals; applicants should follow any follow‑up steps through city permit review and the design review process where applicable.