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Board delays variance hearings after supermajority requirement discovered; meetings set for Oct. 23
Summary
The Montreat Board of Adjustments postponed two variance requests after the chair said the panel lacked the four‑fifths majority required for variances; the board continued the items to its Oct. 23 meeting and apologized to applicants for the delay.
The Montreat Board of Adjustments on Thursday postponed two variance requests after the chair announced the board did not have the four‑fifths majority required to hear variances and apologized to applicants for the scheduling error.
The chair said the failure to proceed was the result of a misunderstanding about the voting threshold: "I am very sad to say that we cannot continue in the variance discussion...I did not understand that that was our need," the chair said, accepting responsibility for the error and apologizing to those who traveled to the meeting.
Board members and applicants discussed possible alternatives, including a special meeting, but settled on continuing the two variance matters to the board’s regular meeting on Oct. 23. Applicant and community member Richard Divert said the October date would work for him and thanked the chair for acknowledging the mistake: "I appreciate your humility," he said.
The board moved and seconded a motion to continue the variance items to Oct. 23; the motion carried by voice vote. Staff said they may still seek a special meeting if calendar constraints allow, but the continued date was set to ensure the necessary membership could attend so the required four‑fifths threshold can be met.
