Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MEETING SUMMARY Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 6 PM Virtual Meeting via Zoom and broadcasted live on the City Facebook Page Westminster, Maryland 21157 A meeting of the Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals was held virtually via Zoom and broadcasted live on the City Facebook Page, on December 1, 2020, at 6 PM. Chair Ed Cramer, Vice-Chair Larry Berent, and Board Member Brenda Frazier were present. Also, in attendance were Board Attorney Eric Blitz, City staff members Mark Depa and Andrew Gray. Milton Beebe, Andrew Kiphart, and Paul Parham were also present. At 6:03 PM, Chair Cramer called the meeting to order. Chair Cramer requested a motion to approve the meeting summary of October 6, 2020. Vice-Chair Berent moved to approve the meeting summary of October 6, 2020. Board Member Frazier seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. Chair Cramer requested a motion to approve the meeting summary of November 3, 2020. Vice-Chair Berent moved to approve the meeting summary of November 3, 2020. Chair Cramer seconded the motion. The motion passed 3- 0. Chair Cramer opened the public hearing for Case No. 20-06. The Chair stated the purpose of the hearing and read the following case title into the record: The Applicant is requesting Variance approval to the required minimum least side yard setback of eight feet, in order to allow a building addition to be 2 feet from the property line, pursuant to Zoning Ordinance Section 164-37 C.(1) at 68 South Ralph Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157. Mr. Gray summarized the main points in the staff memo dated December 1, 2020. Pursuant to Zoning Ordinance Section 164-169, Criteria for determination, "In the exercise of its responsibilities under this chapter, the Board shall study the specific property involved, as well as the neighborhood, shall consider all testimony and data submitted and shall hear any person desiring to speak for or against the appeal or petition." Additionally, Pursuant to Section 164-161 A.(3), the Board of Zoning Appeals is empowered "to authorize upon appeal in specific cases such variances from the terms of this chapter as are necessary to avoid arbitrariness and so that the spirit of this chapter shall be observed and substantial justice done." Zoning Administration recommends that the Board of Zoning Appeals carefully consider approval of the proposed Variance. Mr. Gray requested to submit into record the Application as Exhibit #1 and the Staff Report as Exhibit #2 . The Chair then swore in all parties who wished to testify. Chair Cramer introduced Mr. Beebe, the Applicant, and Mr. Kiphart, present on behalf of the applicant for their presentation. Mr. Kiphart asked Mr. Beebe to provide background as to why the addition was requested and how it would impact the property. Mr. Beebe described his health constraints due to cancer battles and that this area of the house was the ideal place for a handicap-accessible bathroom for him to use. Mr. Blitz asked Mr. Kiphart if he wished to include his pre-hearing statement documents as an Exhibit into the hearing record. Mr. Kiphart stated his agreement with Mr. Gray' s previous admission of his documents as Exhibit 3. Chair Cramer then swore in Mr. Dexter Paul Parham, 11, 70 South Ralph Street, Westminster, MD to testify. Mr. Kiphart questioned Mr. Parham on behalf of the applicant and asked if he had any objections to the applicant's request. Mr. Parham was in favor of the application. The Chair closed testimony. Chair Cramer moved to approve the variance. Board Member Frazier seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Mr. Gray stated that another variance application will come before the Board in January. Chair Cramer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The Board adjourned at 6:32 PM. ~ E d w ~ \J Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals Page 2 of 2