HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/20/2005 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS — MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING — APRIL 20, 2005
PRESENT: Mr. Eric Thomas, Chairman
Mr. Richard Jones
Mr. Eldon Karr
Mr. Kevin Barnes
Mr. Joseph Obenshain, Assistant County Attorney
Mr. John Murphy, Secretary
Mr. Tim Beard, Alternate Secretary
Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary
Absent: Mr. Carlton Wright
Mr. Eric Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mr. Karr moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Jones seconded the motion which carried
unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING PETITION
Variance requested by John David and Robin L. Campbell of Section 30-85 -
18(B)2. of the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance to reduce the minimum setback
from 100 feet to 60 feet. The purpose of this request is to construct a commercial
kennel at 7184 Newport Road, Catawba Magisterial District. (Continued from
March 16, 2005)
Mr. John David Campbell and Ms. Robin Campbell spoke regarding the petition.
Mr. Jones asked the petitioners if they had explored options. Mr. Campbell stated
they cannot move the property line. He stated the building needs to go in the
location we have placed it. He stated they will build a private kennel if their
request for a commercial kennel is denied. Mr. Thomas explained since the board
is required to follow strict guidelines, acquiring a scale drawing is important.
Mr. and Mrs, Campbell stated they will be constructing the building themselves.
Mr. Karr stated the board needs a detailed drawing. He stated kennels are a
sensitive issue. Mr. Campbell stated they will get the drawing if the variance is
granted. Ms. Campbell stated she has 13 dogs of her own and wants the kennel
primarily for her own use with the ability to kennel some of her customers' dogs.
He indicated he understood their situation, but it would be classified as a
commercial kennel. Mr. Campbell stated they cannot reposition the kennel due
to the rock ledge on the property. Mr. Thomas explained the board has
guidelines it is required to go by. Mr. Barnes stated he is unable to determine the
exact distance the septic system is from the well from the drawing. He stated
the petitioners may have the capability to make the building ft but from the
submitted drawing, the actual distance cannot be determined. Mr. Karr noted
they have been up to see the property. Mr. Campbell stated the board did not get
out of the vehicle. Mr. Thomas stated he did get out of the vehicle to look at the
property. Mr. Campbell stated to date they have spent $400 on this petition.
Ms. Campbell stated they had already cleared the land when they realized the
setback was insufficient. Mr. Barnes requested information from staff regarding
private kennels. Mr. Murphy stated only dogs belonging to that property are
allowed to be housed at a private kennel.
Mr. Karr motioned to deny the request based on the findings that the property was
acquired by the owner in good faith, none of the following special conditions
exist: the property is not exceptionally narrow, shallow, or of unusual shape and
size; the property does not have exceptional topographic conditions, and there is
not an extraordinary situation or condition affecting this property. He stated
denying this request and applying the County's zoning ordinance would not
effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict the use of the property by the owner.
He stated, therefore, the granting of this requested variance does not satisfy the
three tests set forth in the Virginia statute as follows: a strict application of the
zoning ordinance would cause undue hardship to the property owner; such a
hardship is not shared generally by other properties in the same zoning district
and the same vicinity; the authorization of the variance will not be of a substantial
detriment to adjacent property and the character of the district will not be changed
by granting the variance.
Mr. Barnes seconded the motion
The motion was approved with the following vote:
AYES:
Jones, Thomas, Karr, Barnes
NAYS:
None
ABSENT:
Wright
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Jones moved to approve the March 16, 2005 minutes.
Mr. Barnes seconded the motion, which carried with the following vote:
AYES:
Jones, Thomas, Karr, Barnes
NAYS:
None
ABSENT:
Wright
COMMENTS
Mr. Beard presented a letter to the board regarding Alfred and Patsy Saunders. He
provided an update on the case. He requested permission from the board to release the
$5000 bond to Mr. Glenn Mitchell.
Mr. Karr made the motion to release the bond.
Mr. Barnes seconded the motion, which carried with the following vote:
AYES:
Jones, Thomas, Karr, Barnes
NAYS:
None
ABSENT:
Wright
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Carter
Approved:
l J. �-
John Murphy, Secretary Board of Zoning Appeals