Board of Adjustments

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS Zoom Meeting 2:30 P.M. April 16, 2020 MEMBERS PRESENT: Eric McDowell, Carol Hatch, Phil Burkhalter, Vonn Lambert, Will Byington, Jeff Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Terry Williamson STAFF PRESENT: Brice Wood, Artagus Newell, Patrick Eidson, Brittany Griffin PUBLIC PRESENT: Paige Bennett, Jon Griffin, Donald Price Jr, Beth Dunay, Debra Nelson, Michael Zirkel, Olivia Worley CALL TO ORDER Chair McDowell called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES The minutes were approved by 6-0 vote. APPLICATIONS: File #BOA20-03-01, 6 Oak View Dr. Requests front setback on Oak View Drive be reduced from 25 feet to 15 feet to allow for the construction of a pavilion. Floyd County Tax Parcel J11W031I4. Owner/Applicant: Donald Frost & Paige Bennett. Brice Wood presented the application, staff report and recommendation of approval. Paige Bennett was present to speak on behalf of the application. There was no one present to speak in opposition. Von Lambert asked about input from the neighbors. Wood stated that multiple neighbors had expressed interest in the application, but expressed no opposition. Carol Hatch made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Von Lambert. The motion passed 6-0. File #BOA20-02-02, 0 North Ave. Requests to reduce the 300-foot distance requirement to zero feet for residentially zoned properties, as well as reducing the fence requirement from an eight- foot visual screening fence to a six-foot chain link fence. Floyd County Tax Parcels J13W210, J13W209. Owner/Applicant: Jon Griffin/Ronald Winn. Brice Wood presented the application, staff report and recommendation of approval. Jon Griffin was present to speak on behalf of the application. There was no one present to speak in opposition. Chair McDowell asked about the homes across North Ave that are zoned commercial. Wood advised that the homes appear to be abandoned. Von Lambert commented that the elevated train trestle acts as an even better buffer than the required fence. Phil Burkhalter made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Will Byington. The motion passed 6-0. File#BOA20-04-01, 1328/1332 Abrams Rd., Silver Creek, GA, Floyd County Tax Parcels M18072C. Requests road frontage reduction from 80’ to 0’, for the creation of a new parcel. Owner/Applicant: Donald R. Price Jr. Brice Wood presented the application, staff report and staff recommendation of approval. Donald Price Jr. was present to speak on behalf of the application. There was no one present to speak in opposition. Phil Burkhalter made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Jeff Williams. File#BOA 20-04-02, 5 Kenswick Place, Rome, GA, Floyd County Tax Parcel H15W049. Requests a rear setback from 25’ to 14’ to construct a garage. Owner/Applicants: Debra and Mark Nelson. Brice Wood presented the application, staff report and recommendation of approval with condition of a landscape buffer. Architect Beth Dunay and property owner Debra Nelson were present to speak in favor of the application. Nelson asked Wood to confirm the distance between the property line in question and the concerned neighbor’s home. Wood confirmed a distance of roughly 200 feet. Michael Zirkel was present to speak in opposition. Zirkel explained that he was concerned about the encroachment on his privacy, one of the major reasons they purchased the home. Mrs. Nelson offered a rebuttal explanation regarding the existing structures located within the setbacks. Chair McDowel asked Zirkel to further explain his privacy concerns. Zirkel explained that the size of the garage and activities associated with noise around the garage. Vice Chair Hatch advised that she intended to ask the same question. Phil Burkhalter made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Carol Hatch. The motion passed 6-0. Brice Wood advised that there was only a single application for the month of May. Chair McDowell asked if the application could be delayed a month. Director Newell offered to check on the timeframe. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to bring before this body, the April 16, 2020, meeting of the Board of Adjustments was adjourned by Chair McDowell, at approximately 3:07 p.m.