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Board considers 'aging in place' examples when weighing hardship claims
Summary
Commissioner Wayne Garrett raised "aging in place" as an evolving community issue and described a temporary ramp for an ill spouse as a situation that could present a legitimate hardship the board might support, even though current statute does not explicitly cover such temporary accommodations.
During discussion of how the board interprets statutory hardship, Commissioner Wayne Garrett—speaking from his experience as an architect—said "aging in place" is increasingly relevant and asked the body to consider case-by-case facts, including temporary measures such as ramps for an ill spouse.
"Aging in place. Okay? And that's quite popular in Orange as a matter of fact," Garrett said, and described a hypothetical application that seeks a temporary ramp for accessibility as a circumstance he might be inclined to support even if the statute’s strict definition of hardship does not cover it.
Board members cautioned against speculation but said they would examine such requests on a case-by-case basis and that any ruling would have to fit within the statutes the board applies. No formal change to the board’s legal interpretation was adopted at this meeting.
