HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/15/1999 - MinutesMINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ROANOKE COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
PUBLIC HEARING -SEPTEMBER 15, 1899
Present: Mr. Carlton Wright, Chairman
Mr. Richard Jones
Mr, Elden Karr
Mr. Rodney McNeil
Mr. Tim Beard, Secretary
Mr. Terry Harrington
Absent: Mr, Herbert Snyder
Mr.. Wright called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m, Mr. McNeil moved approval of the agenda.
Mr. Jones seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING REQUESTS
Administrative Appeal requested by Virginia Varsity Transfer, Inc. of the Zoning
Administrator's interpretation of Section 30- 85- 19(A)5. of the Roanoke County Zoning
Ordinance prohibiting door openings for any mini- warehouse cubicles to be constructed
facing residentially zoned property, located at 5889 Starkey Road, Cave Spring
Magisterial District.
John Lugar, President of Virginia Varsity Transfer, presented his firm's request noting
that the business opened in May of this year and that site development is being phased
in order to resolve problems and associated costs presented by a creek, a gas pipeline
and topography. The applicant stated that he interpreted the ordinance to mean that no
outside storage cubicles could face residential zones„ Responding to questions from the
Board, Mr. Lugar explained that he understood the aesthetic purposes of this ordinance
section which is why his design includes an interior hallway with standard walk -in doors
facing his neighbors and that his site plan has changed from the original master plan due
to a consolidation of proposed buildings. Mr. Harrington then presented his position as
Zoning Administrator highlighting the intent of the ordinance and the fact that site
development costs should not be considered as factors in the Board's decision. The
Board proceeded into a long discussion on the County's project approval, occupancy and
construction phasing policies. Freda Carper, whose parents' property adjoins the
Virginia Varsity site, spoke against the request.
Mr. Karr moved to deny the appeal citing the Zoning Administrator's application of this
ordinance within the County's phased project development approval process. Mr.
McNeil seconded the motion which carried with the following vote:
AYES: Karr, Jones, Wright, McNeil
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Snyder
2. Variance requested by Bo & Rachel White of Section 30- 34- 3(B)1,a of the Roanoke
County Zoning Ordinance to reduce the front yard setback from 30 feet to 24 feet. The
purpose of this request is to construct a front porch addition onto the existing dwelling,
located at 7375 Fernway Drive, Windsor Hills Magisterial District.
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Mr. White presented his request by explaining that he and his wife purchased the property
in May of last year and intended from the beginning to construct a front porch. Apparently
a realtor involved in this transaction mistakenly led the applicants to believe that a front
porch could be added through the normal building permit process. The petitioner also
noted on -site drainage problems. Mr. Karr suggested limiting the length of the proposed
porch as a potential solution.. Tom Anderton, an adjoining neighbor of the White's, spoke
in support of the request noting that other setback violations exist in Carriage Hills and
that surveying discrepancies may have occurred in this case. Mr. Jones moved to deny
the request based on other construction alternatives available to the petitioners, Mr
McNeil seconded the motion which carried with the following vote:
AYES: Karr, Jones, Wright, McNeil
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Snyder
3. Variance requested by George A. Thomas of Section 30- 34- 3(B )1.b of the Roanoke
County Zoning Ordinance to reduce the required front yard setback from 90 feet to 25
feet. The purpose of this request is to construct a detached garage in front of the existing
dwelling located at 3715 Sandlewood Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District,
Mr. Thomas presented his request explaining how the nonconforming storage building
that previously stood in his front yard was removed earlier this year. The petitioner then
planned to build a larger structure approximately in the same place for which a permit had
been issued in error. Mr. Wright asked Mr. Thomas if any room existed toward the rear
of the site that the proposed garage could fit into, The applicant replied that only an
approximate 15 -foot perimeter exists along the unusually angled rear and west side yards
within which to build. Board members also noted the severe downslope along the rear
and west side of the Thomas property.
Mr. McNeil moved to approve the request based on topographic conditions onsite. Mr.
Karr seconded the request which carried with the following vote:
AYES: Karr, .tones, Wright, McNeil
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Snyder
A p provaI_ .e IN Ae_s_
Mr. McNeil moved to approve the minutes of June 16, 1999. Mr. Karr seconded the motion
which carried unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Tim Beard, Secretary
Board of Zoning Appeals