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North Augusta board grants variance allowing 52-foot front setback for infill lot
Summary
The North Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3–0 to grant a variance allowing a front-yard setback not to exceed 52 feet for a proposed single-family home at the address listed in the application, finding steep topography created a practical hardship and attaching three conditions.
The North Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals on April 14 granted a variance allowing a front-yard setback of up to 52 feet for a proposed single-family residence at the property listed in the application for Shane and Mary Louise Rhymer.
The board, with members Kevin Skaggs, Bill Burke and Jim Newman present, voted unanimously (3–0) to approve application ZD26-004 (also referenced as DV26.004 in the hearing). The approval carried three conditions: the variance applies only to the construction of a single-family residence as depicted in the submitted materials; the front-yard setback shall not exceed 52 feet as approved by the board; and any future modifications affecting the approved setback will require additional review and approval.
City planning staff (Mr. Paradise) described the lot as an infill parcel with a narrow middle and a pronounced slope near the roadway that limits buildable area. Staff and the applicants said strict compliance with the R7 district’s 25-foot maximum front setback (section 4.12.3 of the city planning and development code) would make placing a residence on the lot impractical and would necessitate significant demolition or grading.
Shane Rhymer, the applicant (sworn at the public hearing), said the family wanted to build a home that "fits with the character" of the street and argued the requested setback would keep the new house consistent with adjacent properties. "This is our hometown. Many of you know our parents, our grandparents. We care very deeply about the city and about building something that is in character and style to our neighbors," he said. He urged the board to allow a larger setback so the home would align with neighboring structures rather than projecting into a neighbor’s front yard.
Staff recommended, and the board agreed after deliberation, that the topographic conditions and the pattern of older, nonconforming front setbacks on the block supported the variance. The staff report referenced adjacent properties with front setbacks ranging approximately from 37 to 57.2 feet and noted a reported measurement of 51.2 feet; board members elected to round the panel’s approved maximum to 52 feet to provide a modest margin.
A board member moved to approve the application based on the ten required findings discussed in the hearing; the motion was seconded, and the board approved the variance with the three stated conditions. Two board members (M. Starworth and Mr. Smith) were noted absent during roll call.
The file lists the location and parcel identifier as stated in the application materials; the transcript records the address as "105 West Woodlone" and includes EPN 07-07-20-00009 in the record. The transcript contains inconsistent spellings for the applicant’s surname (appearing as both "Rhymer" and later as "Rimmer") and for the street name; the article spells names and addresses as they appear in applicants’ sworn statement and flags the inconsistencies in clarifying notes. The board had no further business and closed the meeting.
