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Board of Zoning Appeals

Regular Meeting

Smithfield, VA · April 18, 2023

AgendaMinutes

Minutes

The Smithfield Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 18th, 2023. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Members present: Gregory Brown – Chairman Gene Monroe – Vice Chairman Christopher Gwaltney Beth Haywood Members absent: Faye Seeley Staff present: Tammie Clary – Community Development & Planning Director William H. Riddick III - Town Attorney Mark Kluck – Planner Nadya Jaudzimas – Administrative Assistant Judith Lally – Board Member, Board of Historic and Architectural Review (BHAR) Press: 0 Citizens: 6 Chairman Brown called the regular meeting to order. 2023 Elections Chairman Brown reported that as it was the first meeting of the year elections would need to be held for the offices of Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary. The Town Attorney opened the floor to nominations for Chairman. Ms. Haywood nominated Greg Brown as Chairman. Mr. Monroe seconded the nomination. The Town Attorney inquired if there were any additional nominations, and hearing none nominations were closed. He called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The Town Attorney opened the floor to nominations for Vice Chairman. Chairman Brown nominated Gene Monroe as Vice Chairman. Mr. Gwaltney seconded the nomination. The Town Attorney inquired if there were any additional nominations, and hearing none nominations were closed. He called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The Town Attorney reported that the office of Secretary needed to be approved, which was generally held by the Town Clerk, Lesley King. He recommended the reappointment of Mrs. King. Chairman Brown made a motion to reappoint Lesley King as Secretary. Ms. Haywood seconded the nomination. The Town Attorney called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. Smithfield Board of Zoning Appeals April 18th, 2023 Community Development & Planning Director’s Report: Tammie Clary, Director of Community Planning and Development, reported that there were no additional updates. Board Member Comments: Ms. Haywood expressed that she was looking forward to continuing to serve the Town and thanked the members for including her. Chairman Brown welcomed Ms. Haywood to the Board of Zoning Appeals. *Public Hearing* SPECIAL YARD EXCEPTION (SYE) Application – Lot 99 Smithfield Boulevard Mrs. Clary reported that the applicants had applied for a Special Yard Exception for two encroachments into the required, thirty-five-foot (35’) front yard setback (pursuant to Smithfield Zoning Ordinance (SZO) Section 3.B.F.2.A.1). She continued that the first encroachment was 3.58 feet, and the second encroachment was 16.17 feet. She added that the encroachments were to accommodate a new single-family dwelling and were constituted by a portion of the front corner of the proposed single-family dwelling and the attached garage. Mrs. Clary stated that due to the large Resource Protection Area (RPA) adjacent to the property, the only viable way to accommodate this proposed dwelling is to encroach into the front yard setback. She reported that Town Staff recognized the obstacles present and recommended the BZA make an accommodation for this parcel. Chairman Brown opened the public hearing and reported that there were sign-ups to speak. Russellette Savi reported that she was the applicant and had mistakenly signed to speak thinking that it was an attendance sheet. She said that she did not have any additional information to add to the staff report given. Chairman Brown inquired if there were any additional attendees that wished to speak. Seeing and hearing none the public hearing was closed. The Town Attorney explained that the lot was platted well before the Chesapeake Bay Act was adopted in 1979. He continued that if the lot had been designed at a time when they knew that there would be a 100 foot RPA, then it would have been designed differently. He reported that in discussions with Mrs. Clary, it was speculated that lot 98 was unbuildable. The Town Attorney said that with that information in mind, the encroachment would likely not affect any neighbors. He explained further that the applicants had the choice of encroaching on the RPA, which was frowned upon, or seeking relief in this way. Mr. Monroe asked why the plans could not be moved further to the left on the property. The Town Attorney explained that the proposed structure was already at the 15-foot side yard setback and could not be moved further. Mr. Monroe stated that he had looked up the address on Google Maps and it looked as if there were no structures on lot 97 or 98. Mr. Gwaltney agreed with the Town Attorney’s statement that lot 98 was unbuildable with the observance of the 100-foot RPA. 2 Smithfield Board of Zoning Appeals April 18th, 2023 Chairman Brown pointed out that if the street had terminated into a dead-end as opposed to a cul-de-sac, then they would not have an issue with encroaching on the RPA. Mr. Gwaltney agreed that the cul-de-sac crossed into the lot. He noted that the only real encroachments were a porch and driveway, and historically the BZA prioritized protection of the RPA. He added that the plans looked similar to applications that they had approved in the past. Chairman Brown agreed that the geometry of the lot and the setbacks were similar to an application approved last year. Ms. Haywood reported that she drove out to see the property and spoke with some residents of the neighborhood. She said that the neighbors she spoke with had no safety concerns with the house being close to the road and had expressed enthusiasm for someone utilizing the property. Mr. Gwaltney made a motion to approve the application as presented. Ms. Haywood seconded the motion. Chairman Brown called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. *Public Hearing* SPECIAL YARD EXCEPTION (SYE) Application – 132 Lumar Road Mrs. Clary reported that the applicants have applied for a Special Yard Exception for an encroachment into the required (pursuant to Smithfield Zoning Ordinance (SZO) Section 3.B.F.2.A.2), fifteen foot (15’), side yard setback, by approximately two feet (2’), to accommodate a 12’ 6” by 34’ 9 5/16” addition, resulting in approximately twenty-five (25) square feet of the addition located in the required side yard setback. She continued that this encroachment would accommodate the proposed addition, enabling it to remain uniform with the primary structure. Chairman Brown opened the public hearing. He reported that there were a few attendees signed up to speak. Kristin Munford of 134 Lumar Road in Smithfield reported that she did not take issue with what her neighbors were proposing for the addition to their house. She stated that she was speaking to request a delay of approval until a new survey could be completed. She reported that the survey that had been attached to their application did not line up with the markers from a survey that was done for her property. She described the discrepancy of the values given in each survey, which equated to 10.1228 ft taken off the front of her property. She continued that she had included the plats from the neighboring properties to illustrate that none of the other properties had been skewed in such a way. Mr. Gwaltney thanked Mrs. Munford for including all of the information that she brought for the Board’s review. He explained that surveying equipment had become more precise over time, and a common practice of surveyors had been to use existing surveys to calculate bearings when measuring out a lot. He recognized her concern that she may be losing property, but explained that though the numbers may not match, it was still the same box that it was supposed to be. Mrs. Munford stated that the survey for her neighbor’s home was no longer square but was a trapezoid shape. She expressed concern about the timing of when the surveys were completed for her property versus the other properties on her road and that the compass directions on the surveys were not all showing from North - South. 3 Smithfield Board of Zoning Appeals April 18th, 2023 The Town Attorney stated that the direction did not matter as the calls could be reversed. He stated that he could explain further after all who wanted to speak at the public hearing had spoken. Chairman Brown reported that there was one other person signed up. The Town Attorney pointed out that Mrs. Munford and the other speaker were presenting at the podium together. Brian Lally of 226 South Church Street in Smithfield stated that it was revealing when looking at the adjacent properties from the standpoint of when the original survey was completed. He continued that the lots on that road were almost perfect rectangles for a distance of about 1200 feet. Mr. Lally explained that he had reviewed many surveys and it was unusual to see plats that lined up at zero (0) degrees, zero (0) minutes, and zero (0) seconds. He continued that to see lot 6 skewed in the midst of the aligned neighboring lots was due to the position of the pins. Mr. Lally reported that they had looked today and could not locate the pins on Lumar Road. He stated that per the current survey it showed that 134 Lumar Road was 8 feet off the paved road onto the other side of the drainage ditch and questioned if that was really where the property line was. The Town Attorney confirmed that the property line was on the back of the drainage ditch. Mr. Lally stated that if that pin placement was correct then from lot 7 to lot 6 the line was off three (3) degrees, which equated to 10 feet onto Mrs. Munford’s property. Mrs. Munford confirmed that she was able to speak along with Mr. Lally. She reported that her lot was the smallest on Lumar Road and this discrepancy would take her lot from 69 feet along Lumar Road to less than 59 feet. The Town Attorney pointed out that Mrs. Munford’s survey listed her property as having 69 feet. Mrs. Munford recognized that was on her survey, but her survey did not line up with the survey for 132 Lumar Road. The Town Attorney explained that Mrs. Munford did not need to worry about another property survey. Mr. Lally and Mrs. Munford stated that the driveway at 132 Lumar would then be on her property. The Town Attorney replied that their driveway was in the wrong location. Mrs. Munford agreed, but her point surrounded what the impact on her property would be if the survey done for 132 Lumar Road would be allowed to remain in place. The Town Attorney clarified that the BZA did not have bearing on the survey and the issue was a civil matter between Mrs. Munford and her neighbor. Mr. Lally replied that the BZA was approving the survey for 132 Lumar Road. The Town Attorney said that the BZA was not approving a survey. Mr. Lally stated that the BZA was approving zoning. The Town Attorney explained that Mrs. Munford’s pins defining her property were in place and illustrated that was her property and encouraged her not to worry about her neighbor’s survey. Mrs. Munford acknowledged that the box used to mark her property was hers, but questioned what happens when her neighbor is building off of numbers that overlap her box. 4 Smithfield Board of Zoning Appeals April 18th, 2023 The Town Attorney pointed out that lot 6 and lot 7, which was Mrs. Munford’s lot, showed iron pins were present. Mrs. Munford again expressed concern about how the North-South direction was shown on the survey for lot 6. Mr. Gwaltney explained that the surveyor for lot 6 had used the State Plane Coordinate System that was required for new subdivisions, and it was different than magnetic coordinate systems. He agreed with the Town Attorney’s assertion that her property was drawn to the pin, or monument. Mr. Lally stated that he agreed, but he thought a licensed surveyor would note if a pin was relocated. The Town Attorney reasserted that the pin had not been relocated. Mr. Lally pointed out the position of the gravel driveway and Mrs. Munford stated that was not her concern at this point as the driveway was in different locations on each survey. The Town Attorney explained that all of Mrs. Munford’s concerns may be exactly right, but it did not have any bearing on what the application and public hearing were for. Chairman Brown agreed that the BZA could not address the concerns she raised. The Town Attorney reiterated that the BZA was being asked to grant relief from the setback on the other side of the property which would allow them to complete the addition. He added that the location in consideration does not impact Mrs. Munford. He explained that at the time the home was built, the County Zoning Ordinance was utilized. He continued that the County Zoning Ordinance at that time did not match the Town Zoning Ordinance presently and that the issue could be seen across the Town. The Town Attorney stated that the way to cure the zoning violation was to obtain a yard exception. He concluded that the BZA’s possible approval of the application did not sanction their survey or Mrs. Munford’s survey. Mrs. Munford reiterated that she did not have a problem with her neighbor’s project, but only took issue with the survey’s not lining up. Mr. Gwaltney repeated his opinion that the difference was due to advancements in the technology used for measuring coordinates now versus previous methods. The Town Attorney added that there was always the possibility of human error having been involved. He reported to Mrs. Munford that surveys were not recorded in the courthouse. Mr. Monroe asked how Mrs. Munford thought the application was going to affect her. She reiterated that she thought she would have 10 feet of her property taken off. She apologized and again stated that she had no issues with her neighbor’s addition. Ms. Haywood thanked Mrs. Munford for presenting her concern to the Board. Mr. Gwaltney complimented her research. Chairman Brown inquired if there were any additional attendees that wished to speak. Seeing and hearing none the public hearing was closed. The Town Attorney recapped that Smithfield had taken a modern zoning ordinance and placed it over an annexed area of Town. He reported that when the homes were built, they were in compliance, however, presently they were not, which caused the Board to have to review the issue on countless occasions. The Board members discussed the issue with Ms. Haywood as she was new to the BZA. 5

Agenda

Wednesday, March 29th, 2023 TO: BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS FROM: TAMMIE CLARY, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING DIRECTOR RE: APRIL MONTHLY MEETING The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) will hold its regularly-scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 at 7:30PM at the Smithfield Center, 220 North church Street. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tammie Clary at 1-(757)-365-4200 or tclary@smithfieldva.gov. cc: Town Council William H. Riddick, III, Town Attorney The Smithfield Times (or) The Daily Press File COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING DEPARTMENT 310 Institute St, PO Box 246 / Smithfield, VA 23431 / 1-(757)-365-4200 / Fax 1-(757)-357-9933 www.smithfieldva.gov SMITHFIELD BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS (BZA) MEETING AGENDA Tuesday, April 18th, 7:30 PM 1) 2023 Elections 2) Community Development & Planning Director’s Report: 3) Upcoming Meetings and Activities Monday, April 24th – 3:00 PM – Town Council Committee Meetings Monday, May 8th– 6:30 PM – Town Council Meeting Tuesday, May 9th – 6:30 PM – Planning Commission Meeting Tuesday, May 16th – 6:30 PM – Board of Historic & Architectural Review Meeting Tuesday, May 16th – 7:30 PM – Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting 4) Board Member Comments 5) *Public Hearing* SPECIAL YARD EXCEPTION (SYE) Application – Lot 99 Smithfield Boulevard (TPIN: 22E-01-099), C. Monroe Wells, Jr. and Russellette C. Savi, applicants. (Staff report, applications, and assorted attachments enclosed.) 6) *Public Hearing* SPECIAL YARD EXCEPTION (SYE) Application – 132 Lumar Road (TPIN: 21A-25-006), Built by Babb C/O John Babb applicant. (Staff report, applications, and assorted attachments enclosed.) 7) Approval of the Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 continued meeting minutes (enclosed). 8) Approval of the Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 meeting minutes (enclosed). 9) Adjournment. ***ATTENTION*** Owing to the pandemic, we are encouraging remote public comment on all land use applications, whether or not a public hearing is required. If you do not feel comfortable with attending a meeting in person, please submit your comments in writing to Mrs. Tammie Clary, Community Development & Planning Director. Your comments will be conveyed to the appropriate Board or Commission. Mrs. Clary can be reached via email (tclary@smithfieldva.gov) or mail at the address below: Town of Smithfield Community Development & Planning Department ATTN Tammie Clary, Director PO Box 246 Smithfield, VA 23431 NOTICE OF INTENT TO COMPLY WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) Reasonable efforts will be made to provide assistance or special arrangements to qualified individuals with disabilities in order to participate in or attend Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) meetings. ADA compliant hearing devices are available for use upon request. Please call 1-(757)-365-4200 at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting date so that proper arrangements may be made. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS (BZA) STAFF REPORT: SPECIAL YARD EXCEPTION (SYE) PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, APRIL 18TH, 2023, 7:30 PM Applicants C. Monroe Wells, Jr. and Russellette C. Savi 113 Lumar Road Smithfield, VA 23430 Owners Same as above. Property Lot 99 Smithfield Blvd TPIN 22E-01-099 0.75 ac N side Smithfield Blvd. 565’ corner of Barclay Crescent & Smithfield Blvd. Zoning Neighborhood Residential (NR), Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Overlay (CB-O), Floodplain Overlay (FP-O) & Environmental Conservation (EC) Adjacent Zoning Same as above. Project Description The applicants have applied for a Special Yard Exception for two encroachments into the required, thirty-five-foot (35’) front yard setback (pursuant to Smithfield Zoning Ordinance (SZO) Section 3.B.F.2.A.1). The first encroachment is for 3.58 feet, and the second encroachment is for 16.17 feet. These encroachments accommodate a new single-family dwelling and are constituted by a portion of the front corner of the proposed single-family dwelling and the attached garage. Staff Comments Due to the large Resource Protection Area that encumbers this property, the only viable way to accommodate this proposed dwelling is to encroach into the front yard setback; therefore, staff recognize the obstacles present on this parcel and recommend the BZA make an accommodation for this parcel. Please direct inquires to Tammie Clary at 1-(757)-365-4200 or tclary@smithfieldva.gov. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS (BZA) STAFF REPORT: SPECIAL YARD EXCEPTION (SYE) PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, APRIL 18TH, 2023, 7:30 PM Applicants John Babb 132 Lumar Rd Smithfield, VA 23430 Owners Hallwood Properties I LLC 132 Lumar Rd Smithfield, VA 23430 Property 132 Lumar Rd TPIN: 21A-25-006 0.27 ac S side Lumar Rd. 670’ corner of John Rolfe Dr. & Lumar Rd. Zoning Neighborhood Residential (NR) Adjacent Zoning Neighborhood Residential (NR) Project Description The applicants have applied for a Special Yard Exception for an encroachment into the required (pursuant to Smithfield Zoning Ordinance (SZO) Section 3.B.F.2.A.2), fifteen foot (15’), side yard setback, by approximately two feet (2’), to accommodate a 12’ 6” by 34’ 9 5/16” addition, resulting in approximately twenty-five (25) square feet of the addition located in the required side yard setback. Staff Comments This encroachment would accommodate the proposed addition, enabling it to remain uniform with the primary structure. Please direct inquires to Tammie Clary at 1-(757)-365-4200 or tclary@smithfieldva.gov. S RECORD NORTH 79 ft E W LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD D LO D LO LOD LOD LO LOD D N LOD LOD 26 ft LOD LOD 13 ft LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD SCALE: 1" = 30' TH OF E AL V I DATE: 02/24/2023 W FILE NUMBER:23.005 COMM RG ON INI FEMA PANEL:51093C0151E "Lu-Mar Homes" GUARIONEX ADORNO A Lic. No. 3070 DATE MAP: 12/02/2015. FLOOD ZONE DESIGNATION:X PROPERTY ADDRESS: 132 LUMAR RD , SMITHFIELD, VA 23430. LA 02/24/2023 TAX MAP NUMBER: 21A-25-006 SELLER: ND OR OWNER:HALLWOOD PROPERTIES LLC. S UR V E Y REFERENCES:PB:4 PG 185 NOTES: -THIS SURVEY HAS BEEN PREPARED WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A TITLE REPORT AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO REFLECT ALL EASEMENTS, MLS GROUP ENCUMBRANCES OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING THE TITLE TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. CONSULTING LLC. -FENCE LOCATIONS (IF SHOWN) ARE APPROXIMATE. -THIS PLAT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES. -THIS PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENT SURVEY REPRESENT A CURRENT FIELD SURVEY & IS CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE, INFORMATION & BELIE -THE BEARING SYSTEM SHOWN HEREON IS REFERENCED TO PLAT AS RECORDED. MLS GROUP CONSULTING LLC. L TH O F EA V W I COMM RG ON INI Carlos R. Sierra A Lic. No. 402060870 O EE PR FE 02/24/2023 R SSI IN ONAL ENG House Addition HALLWOOD PROPERTIES 132 LUMAR RD HALLWOOD PROPERTIES LLC SMITHFIELD, VA 23430. House Addition GPIN 21A-25-006 132 Lumar Rd Smithfield, Va 23555. MLS GROUP CONSULTING LLC. L TH O F EA VI W COMM RG ON INI Carlos R. Sierra A Lic. No. 402060870 O EE PR FE 02/24/2023 R SSI IN ONAL ENG HALLWOOD PROPERTIES LLC House Addition 132 Lumar Rd Smithfield, Va 23555. MLS GROUP CONSULTING LLC. L TH O F EA VI W DEMO COMM RG ON INI AREA Carlos R. Sierra Lic. No. 402060870 A O EE PR FE 02/24/2023 R SSI IN ONAL ENG DEMO AREA BACK SIDE OF HOUSE LEFT SIDE OF HOUSE HALLWOOD PROPERTIES LLC House Addition 132 Lumar Rd DEMO Smithfield, Va 23555. AREA RIGHT SIDE OF HOUSE DEMO AREA LEFT SIDE OF HOUSE MLS GROUP CONSULTING LLC. LAUNDRY ROOM BATHROOM L TH O F EA VI W COMM RG ON INI Carlos R. Sierra A Lic. No. 402060870 O EE PR FE 02/28/2023 R SSI IN ONAL ENG HALLWOOD PROPERTIES LLC House Addition 132 Lumar Rd Smithfield, Va 23555. MLS GROUP CONSULTING LLC. L TH O F EA VI W COMM RG ON INI Carlos R. Sierra A Lic. No. 402060870 O EE PR FE 02/24/2023 R SSI IN ONAL ENG HALLWOOD PROPERTIES LLC House Addition 132 Lumar Rd Smithfield, Va 23555. S RECORD NORTH E W N SCALE: 1" = 30' TH OF E AL V I DATE: 01/15/2023. W FILE NUMBER:23.005 COMM RG ON INI FEMA PANEL:51093C0151E "Lu-Mar Homes" GUARIONEX ADORNO A Lic. No. 3070 DATE MAP: 12/02/2015. FLOOD ZONE DESIGNATION:X PROPERTY ADDRESS: 132 LUMAR RD , SMITHFIELD, VA 23430. LA 01/16/2023R TAX MAP NUMBER: 21A-25-006 SELLER: ND O OWNER:HALLWOOD PROPERTIES LLC. S UR V E Y REFERENCES:PB:4 PG 185 NOTES: -THIS SURVEY HAS BEEN PREPARED WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A TITLE REPORT AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO REFLECT ALL EASEMENTS, MLS GROUP ENCUMBRANCES OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING THE TITLE TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. CONSULTING LLC. -FENCE LOCATIONS (IF SHOWN) ARE APPROXIMATE. -THIS PLAT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES. -THIS PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENT SURVEY REPRESENT A CURRENT FIELD SURVEY & IS CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE, INFORMATION & BELIE -THE BEARING SYSTEM SHOWN HEREON IS REFERENCED TO PLAT AS RECORDED. S RECORD NORTH E W LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD D LO D LO LOD LOD LO LOD D N LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD LOD SCALE: 1" = 30' TH OF E AL V I DATE: 02/24/2023 W FILE NUMBER:23.005 COMM RG ON INI FEMA PANEL:51093C0151E "Lu-Mar Homes" GUARIONEX ADORNO A Lic. No. 3070 DATE MAP: 12/02/2015. FLOOD ZONE DESIGNATION:X PROPERTY ADDRESS: 132 LUMAR RD , SMITHFIELD, VA 23430. LA 02/24/2023 TAX MAP NUMBER: 21A-25-006 SELLER: ND OR OWNER:HALLWOOD PROPERTIES LLC. S UR V E Y REFERENCES:PB:4 PG 185 NOTES: -THIS SURVEY HAS BEEN PREPARED WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A TITLE REPORT AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO REFLECT ALL EASEMENTS, MLS GROUP ENCUMBRANCES OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING THE TITLE TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. CONSULTING LLC. -FENCE LOCATIONS (IF SHOWN) ARE APPROXIMATE. -THIS PLAT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES. -THIS PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENT SURVEY REPRESENT A CURRENT FIELD SURVEY & IS CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE, INFORMATION & BELIE -THE BEARING SYSTEM SHOWN HEREON IS REFERENCED TO PLAT AS RECORDED. The Smithfield Board of Zoning Appeals held a continued meeting on Tuesday, August 16th, 2022. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Members present: Gregory Brown – Chairman Christopher Gwaltney Gene Monroe Jeff Brooks Members absent: Faye Seeley Staff present: Tammie Clary – Community Development & Planning Director William H. Riddick III - Town Attorney Mark Kluck – Planner Press: 0 Citizens: 6 Chairman Brown called the continued meeting from May 24th, 2022, back to order. *Public Hearing* Special Use (Front Yard) Exception Application – 261 River Oaks Lane (TPIN: 22-02-002) – Mark and Nicole Rutter C/O T. Carter Williams, applicant. Chairman Brown reported that the application was withdrawn by the applicant before the Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 BZA continued meeting was conducted. Approval of the Tuesday, March 15th, 2022 meeting minutes Mr. Monroe made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Brooks seconded the motion. Chairman Brown called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. Approval of the Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 meeting minutes Chairman Brown made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Monroe seconded the motion. Chairman Brown called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. ________________________ ______________________________ Greg Brown - Chairman Tammie Clary - Community Development & Planning Director The Smithfield Board of Zoning Appeals held its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 16th, 2022. The meeting was called to order at 7:38 p.m. Members present: Gregory Brown – Chairman Christopher Gwaltney Gene Monroe Jeff Brooks Members absent: Faye Seeley Staff present: Tammie Clary – Community Development & Planning Director William H. Riddick III - Town Attorney Mark Kluck – Planner Press: 0 Citizens: 6 Chairman Brown called the regular meeting to order. Election for Vice Chair Chairman Brown reported that an election needed to be held to fill the seat of Vice Chair Barnes, who had left the BZA. He asked for nominations from the other Board members. Mr. Monroe nominated Christopher Gwaltney as Vice Chair. Mr. Brooks seconded the motion. Chairman Brown called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. Community Development & Planning Director’s Report: Tammie Clary, Director of Community Planning and Development, reported that at the conclusion of the meeting staff would like to take a group photo of the BZA members. Board Member Comments: Chairman Brown welcomed Mr. Brooks to the Board of Zoning Appeals. *Public Hearing* Special Yard Exception Application – 810 South Church Street (TPIN:21A-01-528) – Jeffery and Rebecca Wiles, applicant. Mrs. Clary reported that the applicants have applied for a Special Yard Exception under SZO Article 12.F.7.a., where the adjacent lot has a similar nonconforming side yard, for an encroachment into the required (SZO Article 3.G Section F.2.A.2), fifteen foot (15’), side yard setback. This proposed encroachment would provide for approximately thirteen feet, four inches (13’ 4”) on the west side of the property, and eleven feet, one and three-sixteenth inches (11’ 1 3/16”) on the east side of the property. This encroachment would allow the construction of a Smithfield Board of Zoning Appeals August 16th, 2022 twelve-foot (12’) wide by thirty-two-foot, ten inches (32’ 10”) addition to the rear of the existing single-family residence and will result in the encroachment into the side yard 2 feet +/- on the west side of the property and 4 feet +/- on the east side of the property. She continued that this application is in conformation with SZO Article 12.F.7.a. which provides a special exception for yard conditions, where on an adjacent lot there is front, side, or rear yard that does not conform with such yard regulations similarly to the exception applied for. Chairman Brown opened the public hearing and confirmed that the applicants were present to answer any questions if necessary. He reported that there were no sign-ups for public comments. Chairman Brown reviewed that the picture provided showed that when the house was built it was already non-compliant, and the application was to take down a portion in the back and replacing it with a new addition. The Town Attorney asked the applicant to come up to speak. Jeffery Wiles, applicant, stated that the structure in question was thought to originally have been a porch that was turned into a bathroom/laundry room by a previous owner. He described the ceiling height in the bathroom and laundry as very small and in need of repair. He added that the foundation underneath was cracked and crumbling. Chairman Brown reviewed that the lot shape is such that the further back it goes, the narrower it gets. He added that even if the applicant was keeping to the width and lines of the existing structure there would still be encroachment in the rear of the property. Mr. Brooks asked for clarification about the open porch area. Mr. Wiles reported that it is no longer an open porch area, and that it is currently enclosed and within the footprint of the house. Mr. Brooks inquired if Mr. Wiles had discussed the renovation with his immediate neighbor. Mr. Wiles confirmed that he had. He added that he believed that Mrs. Clary had received an email from them as well. Mrs. Clary reported that Town staff had received a comment in support of the application from the neighbor at 808 South Church Street. Mr. Monroe stated that he found the addition to be perfectly fine and reasonable. He questioned the garage’s infiltration 10 feet into the other yard as shown in one picture. Mr. Wiles stated that he was unsure when the garage was built. He pointed out that one of the survey lines crossed into the opening of one of the neighbor’s garage bays placing the structure about a foot onto his property. Vice Chair Gwaltney reported that the survey listed it as an “existing common use garage.” Mr. Wiles stated that he didn’t have an idea what that might mean, but he owned about 2/3 of the structure and the neighbor owned 1/3. Chairman Brown reconfirmed that the garage is shared with Mr. Wiles’s neighbor. Mr. Wiles stated that it was his understanding the garage was built by the neighbor at 812 South Church Street’s father and was shared between neighbors. 2 Smithfield Board of Zoning Appeals August 16th, 2022 Chairman Brown stated it was his understanding that the area in question had been added to the Town at a later period. The Town Attorney reminded the Chairman that the public hearing needed to be formally closed. Chairman Brown closed the public hearing. The Town Attorney asked to give Mr. Brooks additional information as he was new to the BZA. He stated that the Town of Smithfield was an old Town with an extensive history. He reported that the area of South Church Street had been outside the Town limits, and estimated that it had been annexed in the 1970s. He continued that a modern zoning ordinance had been imposed on a very unmodern community and as a result there were many areas in the Town that had yard violations that were not created by the current residents. He stated this was the case with this particular application, and the Board may give them a yard exception which would remedy the violation allowing them to proceed with what they were requesting. Chairman Brown gave an example of a similar issue previously heard by the BZA last year that had been on the other side of South Church Street. Mr. Wiles reported that his home had been built in 1934, and they had been trying to restore it back to that time period in the interior. Vice Chair Gwaltney noted that the parcel numbers indicated that the property had not been subdivided in modern times as they had no alphanumeric included. Chairman Brown stated that he did not see any issue with the application. Vice Chair Gwaltney made a motion to approve the application as presented. Mr. Monroe seconded the motion. Chairman Brown called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. Approval of the Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 meeting minutes Chairman Brown made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Vice Chair Gwaltney seconded the motion. Chairman Brown called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. ________________________ ______________________________ Greg Brown - Chairman Tammie Clary - Community Development & Planning Director 3

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