Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Accessory Dwelling Unit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves French family variance for larger accessory dwelling unit
Summary
The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance allowing a 1,493.33 sq ft detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 8660 N. Mount Taber Road, exceeding the AGR-zone 1,000 sq ft limit. The board found practical difficulties in this case and voted 3–0 to approve the petition (V-26-16).
The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3–0 to grant a variance allowing a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) of 1,493.33 square feet at 8660 North Mount Taber Road, overruling the Agricultural Residential (AGR) 1,000-square-foot ADU cap for this parcel.
Staff presented V-26-16 and recommended denial. Mr. Myers, a planning staff presenter, told the board that the petition site is part of a platted White Hawk Farm LLC subdivision, measures about 22.27 acres, and that the proposed ADU exceeds the AGR 1,000-square-foot limit by 493.33 square feet. He said the proposal otherwise meets development standards but concluded that "staff recommends denial" because, in staff’s view, the applicant had not shown the requisite practical difficulties.
The petitioner, Andy French, sworn to testify, said the family’s goal was to keep the 22-acre parcel intact and to provide nearby housing for aging parents. "We really just wanted to keep the property whole," French said, adding that available sub‑1,000-square-foot home plans were not suitable for two older adults with mobility concerns. Judy French, also sworn, told the board that living in a home under 900 square feet had proven logistically difficult for their health needs and that the Clear Creek Homes plan they selected better accommodates walkers, wheelchairs and storage needs.
No members of the public spoke for or against the petition during the public‑comment period. During deliberations board members said they had repeatedly seen similar petitions and expressed sympathy for eldercare needs; one member suggested the county commissioners consider whether the 1,000‑square‑foot limit remains appropriate in all cases. After discussion the board found that, on the record before them, the petitioner had demonstrated practical difficulties and moved to approve the variance.
The motion to approve V-26-16 carried on a roll call vote: Margaret Clemens, Guy Loftman and Jeff Morris voted yes. The approval allows the petitioner to proceed with required permitting steps (improvement-location permit, building permit) and recordation of the Chapter 811 affidavit before a certificate of occupancy will issue.
The board did not modify the ordinance; a board member said the commissioners could be asked separately to consider broader changes to the ADU size limit. The decision permits the French family to pursue construction on the presented site plan under the conditions discussed at the hearing.
