Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve 10‑month variance for property owner; also reappoint Turner and adopt hazard plan
Summary
The board approved a time‑limited variance for Richard Anderson to replace one structure and reclassify another as an accessory building (10‑month deadline), recorded two abstentions for conflict, reappointed Samantha Turner to Avita Community Partners, adopted the joint hazard mitigation plan and approved a supplemental agreement naming Dean Hicks.
The Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved a time‑limited variance request from property owner Richard Anderson that allows him to remove one structure, place a replacement dwelling and have the other existing structure reclassified as an accessory building, provided the work is completed within 10 months.
Richard Anderson, the applicant, told the board he planned to put the new unit "back where the other one's at now" and asked for flexibility to avoid moving personal property twice. Board discussion focused on whether moving or replacing structures would affect the parcel’s nonconforming status under the county land‑use ordinance and on sequencing to avoid transient three‑structure situations. The board’s motion granted the variance with a 10‑month expiration and language that the accessory structure must meet accessory‑use criteria; two commissioners recorded conflicts and abstained from the vote.
During new business the board also voted to reappoint Samantha Turner to the Avita Community Partners board of directors and to adopt updates to the Stephens County joint hazard mitigation plan, a state‑mandated document prepared with emergency‑service partners and the cities of Martin and Avalon. The board approved a supplemental agreement naming Dean Hicks in her capacity as tax commissioner (the contract terms coincide with her current term of office and expire upon conclusion of that term). The board approved two invoices from Acree Oil for gasoline and diesel totaling $33,396.18.
No citizens signed up to speak at the meeting. The board moved to enter an executive session to discuss real‑estate matters and pending litigation; that session was authorized by motion and second.
The variance approval is time‑limited and will expire if the owner does not meet the 10‑month condition; several commissioners asked for a progress update before expiration.
