TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Zoning Commission
FROM: Will Deaton, MPA, AICP, CFM, CZO - Planning & Zoning Manager
Demetrios Moutos - Planner I
DATE: March 11, 2025
RE:
Title
A25-02: Variance Request - Accessory Building Size at 118 Johnson Street
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
4 - D.J. Haire
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 2: Responsive City Government Supporting a Diverse and Viable Economy
* Objective 2.1: To ensure a diverse City tax base
Goal 4: Highly Desirable Place to Live, Work, and Recreate
* Objective 4.5: To ensure a place for people to live in great neighborhoods
Executive Summary:
The applicant, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, represented by Alex Parham, seeks a variance from City Code Section 30-3.E.5, which limits accessory structures to the lesser of 1,500 square feet or 30% of allowable lot coverage. The request proposes a 2,400-square-foot accessory building to secure the Church's vans and other belongings, exceeding the current size restriction.
The Zoning Commission unanimously approved the request at their February 11, 2025 meeting.
30.2.C.14 Variance:
A variance serves as a mechanism for granting limited deviations from the dimensional standards of this Ordinance-such as height, yard setbacks, lot coverage, and similar numeric requirements-when a landowner demonstrates that strict compliance would impose an undue and unique hardship due to circumstances beyond their control. These circumstances may include exceptional topographical features, unusual lot dimensions, or other inherent conditions specific to the property.
Variances are intended to be applied sparingly and only in exceptional cases where such relief is necessary to prevent undue hardship. However, a variance may not authorize changes to permitted uses or alter any applicable conditions of approval.
Background:
* Address: 118 Johnson Street
* Owner: Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church
* Applica...
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