HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/18/2023 - Minutes \y
County of Roanoke
BOARD ,OF ZONING APPEALS
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
BZA Members Present:
Mr. Richard Jones, Chairman
Mr. Jeffrey Armstrong
Ms. Charlotte Moore
_BZA Members_Absent:
Mr. Eric Thomas, Vice-Chairman
Staff Present:
Ms. Rebecca James, Secretary
Mr. William Richardson, Alternate Secretary
Ms. Rachel Lower, Deputy County Attorney
Mr. Lionel Cruz-Cruz
Ms r.ecelia_Thomas, Recording_Secreta y
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Jones called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA •
Mr. Armstrong made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 3-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Moore made a motion to approve the September 20, 2023 minutes, which passed
3-0.
PUBLIC HEARING
• 1. The petition for a variance requested by Charlie Wilson of Section 30-32-3 of the
Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance to build a primary structure (house)behind
the existing accessory structure (barn), located at 10231 Fortune Ridge Road,
Bent Mountain, VA 24059. The property is zoned AG3:Agricultural/Rural
Preserve District and is located in the Windsor Hills Magisterial District.
(WITHDRAWN BY APPLICANT)
2. The petition for a variance requested by James and Angela Wooten of Section
30-41-3(B) of the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance to install an accessory
structure in front of the front building line of the principal structure, located at
1248 Terrace Drive, Salem, VA 24153. The property is zoned R-1 Low Density
Residential District and is located in the Catawba Magisterial District.
Mr. Lionel Cruz-Cruz presented the staff report. Mr. Armstrong questioned the concept
plan and if the setbacks on the side of the property are acceptable, which was
confirmed by Mr. Cruz-Cruz. Mr. James Wooten, 1240 Terrace Drive, corrected that he
does not intend on putting in a.concrete pad and will be putting in gravel. He noted that
with the way that the property line is, he would not be able to build the structure behind
the front building line. Mr. Wooten noted that since the application was submitted the
two properties have been combined. Mr. Armstrong questioned if there is a reason that
the structure could not be built further back. Mr. Wooten noted that the topography
changes toward the back-of the-properties.-Mr. Armstrong questioned-if Mr. Wooten is -
planning to provide any utilities, which Mr. Wooten noted he will have electricity to keep
his RV charged. Mr. Armstrong questioned what kind of roof Mr. Wooten is intending to
have over the structure. Mr. Wooten noted he is planning on having a roof to protect the.
camper from branches. Mr. Jones questioned the setback from the house to the street.
Mr. Cruz-Cruz rioted that the closest front corner of the primary structure tothe street is
how that distance for the setback is measured. Mr. Armstrong questioned the
measurement now that the properties are combined if that would bring him closer to
meeting the setback requirements. Staff concluded that the applicant would need to
have a surveyor remeasure the property to determine if he would be closer to meeting
setback requirements.
Mr. Jones,opened the public hearing, and with no one wishing to speak, closed the
public hearing.
Mr. Armstrong would like to see the accessory structure as close to the required
setback as possible. He requested that the applicant work with staff and have his
property setbacks.remeasured.
Mr. Armstrong made a motion to continue the variance, which passed 3-0.
AYES: Moore, Armstrong, Jones
NAYES: None
ASTAINS:None
3. The petition for a variance requested by Jonathan and Kathryn Horin of Section
30-33-3(B) of the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance to modify side yard setback
on the west side of the property from 20 feet to 10 feet located at 7034 Campbell
Drive, Salem, VA 24153. The property is zoned AG-1 Agricultural/Rural Low
Density District and is located in the Catawba Magisterial District. Mr. Bill
Richardson presented the staff report. Ms. Kathryn Horin presented their request
for a variance request due to the hardships of safety concerns for the build and
the habitancy, and topography. Ms. Horin noted that to buy land to the east or
west to meet the side yard setback, their neighbors would have to move their
driveways to sell them land. Ms. Moore questioned if they had talked with their
neighbors about purchasing ten feet of land.Mr. Horin noted that they spoke to
their neighbor to their east, and they would be encroaching on their driveway.
Mr. Jones opened the public hearing, and with no speakers, closed the public hearing.
Mr. Armstrong mentioned that five feet is better than ten feet, and asked if there is a
possibility if they can modify it to 15 foot setback rather than a 20 foot setback. Mr.
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Horin noted that they would prefer to have more space, but they could go down the drop
off a few feet. They noted they are willing to build on the slope. Ms. Horin noted that
they will have to engineer retaining walls, so they are not exactly sure what the setback
requirement will be, so they did not want to limit themselves to five feet for the safety of
the retaining wall. Mr. Horin concluded that their plan is not necessarily to take
advantage of the full ten foot boundary but to request the full ten foot setback to have
the house be consistent with the neighborhood.
Ms. Moore made a motion to approve a variance request for a reduced setback of 15
feet, which passed 3-0. .
AYES: Moore, Armstrong, Jones
NAYES:_None
ASTAINS: None
Deputy County Attorney Update on Virginia Code Section 15.2-2204 Notice
Requirements
Ms. Lower presented the updates to the Virginia Code regarding notice requirements.
COMMENTS OF BOARD AND STAFF
No comments.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
7L?DILI% J�, �-
celia Thomas, ording Secretary
Roanoke County Board of Zoning Appeals
115, rra AA4 CVIA‘-f'S
becca James, Secretor)/ . .
Roanoke County Board of Zoning Appeals
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