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Council approves special exception permit for two-family dwelling at 740 North Mill Road
Summary
After a public hearing on a request by WILLIAMHART LLC, council approved a special exception permit to allow a two-family dwelling at 740 North Mill Road. The applicant offered site changes to address Fire/EMS access; Council clarified that land-use approval does not override Fire Chief and engineering requirements.
The Salem City Council voted unanimously April 13 to approve a special exception permit allowing a two-family dwelling at 740 North Mill Road (Tax Map #48-2-7), a request brought by property owner WILLIAMHART LLC.
Chuck Van Allman, director of community development, told council staff had coordinated with Fire/EMS and engineers to identify access issues and expected outstanding technical questions to be resolved to the Fire Chief's satisfaction. Mayor Turk opened a public hearing on the request.
Barney Horrell of Brushy Mountain Engineering, speaking for the applicant, described site constraints and said the "proposed flag lot configuration limits flexibility in driveway placement." He said the applicant was open to widening the driveway radius and consolidating the two proposed entrances to improve emergency access and sight distance.
Councilman Byron "Randy" Foley expressed concern that Fire/EMS access issues might not yet be fully resolved and suggested deferral until those matters were addressed, noting the public-safety importance of sight lines and emergency access. Van Allman and City Attorney Jim Guynn clarified that the special exception decision concerns land-use suitability for a duplex and that subsequent technical review and the Fire Chief's determination could still restrict or change how a development is constructed.
Hunter Holliday moved to approve the special exception; John Saunders seconded. The vote was unanimous (Ayes: John Saunders, Hunter Holliday, Randy Foley, Anne Marie Green, Rene9e Turk; Nays: None).
