Neighbors press road-safety concerns as BZA approves side-setback variance for Nicholson

The board approved a request to reduce required side yards from 25 feet to 10 feet on property identified as Madison County tax map 64-40C to allow placement of a 14-foot-wide manufactured home. The applicant, who appears in the agenda as Hassel Nicholson and self-identified at the podium as Heysil Nicholson, told the board the lot is narrow and steep and that the requested placement would provide safer parking and access: "It's only 70 foot wide... We're just trying to have a little bit more room to get around the trailer," the applicant said.

Several adjacent property owners urged the board to deny the variance or to consider alternatives that would preserve emergency access. Barfonse Baldwin, trustee of the Seth Cheatham Trust, said she had only just seen the proposal and was not inclined to support it. Sarah Fisher said she measured her stakes and argued the reduction would eliminate the required buffer and asked, "I don't know how an emergency vehicle would ever be able to go down through there in case it's needed." James Tinsley said the private lane is "approximately 12 foot wide" and described past rescues that were difficult or required calling equipment to remove vehicles. The board acknowledged the road and access concerns but noted the parcel is a grandfathered lot and approved the variance after motions and a vote. The chair recommended neighbors contact county staff for appeal information.