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BCA approves 15-foot front-setback variance for 635 Carolina Avenue amid neighbors' staging concerns
Summary
The BCA approved a 15-foot front-setback variance for 635 Carolina Avenue after staff cited topography, a sewer line and a protected stream as hardships; a nearby resident warned construction staging has repeatedly blocked driveway access and emergency trips.
The BCA on Tuesday approved a 15-foot front-setback variance for 635 Carolina Avenue, allowing the applicant to place a new single-family house closer to the street than current zoning permits.
Garrett, the board reviewer, told the panel his desktop review of deeds and plats showed a Carolina Avenue right-of-way extending through part of the parcel and that the lot’s topography, an existing sewer line and a creek limit buildable area. "I would recommend approval for granting this variance," he said.
Neighborhood concerns centered on construction staging and emergency access. Alice Johnson, who told the board she lives at 614 Carolina Avenue, said repeated construction parking and heavy equipment have blocked the narrow dead-end street and sometimes prevented her from reaching medical appointments. "It is, a living hell not to be able to get out of your driveway," Johnson said, providing the board a written statement and photos.
The applicant and contractor argued the proposed siting reduces downstream risk and is the only practical option. Larry, who identified himself as a builder with Maverick, said the lot includes a turnaround and space for subcontractor parking and that builders typically work to minimize impacts: "We pick up the phone every time," he said. He added that alternative build locations on the parcel would be much more costly and risk greater sedimentation to the protected waterway.
Board members debated whether to approve the request tonight or table it so the applicants could try to reduce the variance. The chair explained that if the board denied tonight’s plan, the applicants could return with a different plan but might face a waiting period to refile an identical request. After discussion, a committee member moved to approve the variance and was seconded; the motion passed in roll-call voting recorded in the meeting.
The board’s action was limited to the setback variance. Members and staff noted construction staging and enforcement fall under other town departments and encouraged the concerned resident to pursue those avenues for written commitments about staging and access during construction.
The meeting concluded after the vote and the board adjourned.
