Board approves five-foot variance for homeowner’s porch overhang to aid elderly resident

The Dorchester County Board of Zoning Appeals on March 25 unanimously approved a five-foot variance to allow a homeowner to add an overhang to his house to ease access for an elderly family member. The board said the applicant provided the drawings and a certified HOA letter confirming the homeowners association had no objection.

The variance application returned to the board after staff provided side and rear elevation illustrations and a certified letter from the community HOA confirming acceptance of the proposed modification. Tim, a staff member, displayed drawings showing the overhang measured five feet from the overhang line and explained the materials were intended to resolve whether the extension was five or six feet.

The applicant, identified in the record as Mr. Podner, said the overhang is a modest "kick roof" and not a structural change to the house. He told the board the work is intended to help his wife, who "is going to be 80" and "has problems walking," and that she spends a lot of time on the porch. He also said the home is in Crestwood, a gated 55-and-over community, and that similar porch extensions exist in the neighborhood.

A board member moved to approve the variance, noting there was no opposing testimony and that the applicant had met with the HOA, which "had no objection to it." The motion was seconded and approved by the usual signs; the chair announced the vote was unanimous and the variance was approved.

Board members asked whether the extension would affect adjacent properties or future development of the rear lot; the motion’s sponsor said it would not. The board did not record a numerical roll-call tally in the transcript; the outcome reported in the meeting record was unanimous approval by show of hands.

The board did not attach additional conditions on the approval in the transcript. Staff or the applicant may follow up with any required permitting steps under county regulations.