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Board upholds planning director’s condition on Crossley accessory building, requires rear-facing doors and landscaping
Summary
Greg and Jordan Crossley appealed an administrative decision that required overhead doors on a proposed large accessory building face the rear; the Board of Zoning Appeals approved the special exception but imposed conditions: doors face the rear, landscaping along the front property line, and a two-year lapse if no construction occurs.
Jordan Crossley appealed the planning director’s administrative condition for a proposed 3,900-square-foot accessory building at 33979 Bradford Johnson Road, asking the board to allow the overhead doors to face the roadside. "We just want to appeal respectfully to have our garage doors facing the roadside of the building," Crossley said, arguing road-facing doors are common on the rural road and that neighbors had no objection.
Rob Tracy and Carla Gerberg explained the administrative condition. Tracy said the administrative special exception review covers structures beyond 2,000 square feet and that, on review, many accessory structures in the area were located in rear yards; the proposed building sits in the side yard and closer to the road. Gerberg said the intent of the condition was to ensure the building remains subordinate and appears residential rather than industrial; she noted landscaping or a porch could soften the appearance. Tracy also described the administrative record and noted the building had been reviewed at an administrative hearing on Sept. 15.
Board members debated aesthetic and practical concerns, with some members sympathetic to the applicants’ desire for road-facing doors but others expressing that a 75-foot front setback and the building’s size might make road-facing doors appear industrial. The board voted to approve the special exception consistent with staff recommendations, with specific conditions: position the building so the 12x14 garage doors face the rear yard, provide landscaping along the front property line to soften the view, and the special exception will lapse after two years without substantial construction. The board directed staff to include the conditions in the written decision and proceed with permit review if the conditions are met.
The board noted applicants may revise plans or seek variances for setbacks if they prefer a different orientation, but the board’s approval on the condition preserves the planning director’s intent while allowing the accessory structure to proceed under the specified mitigation.
