MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
DECEMBER 11, 2024
Attendees
Cathy Colleran Ron Gillian
James Knight Lee Short
Susan Scholz Nina Patton
Michael Patton Dave Bergman
Chris Roberts Dave Miller
Chairman Bryan Baugh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board members in attendance included: Doug Blackburn, Brian Caldwell, Rebecca Dubber, Bill Baker, and Alternate Mike Schenk. Todd Bickley, Zoning Inspector/Secretary and Trustee Matt Montowski were also in attendance.
Chairman Baugh read through the meeting process.
New Business
Case #737618 Catherine Colleran
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicant proposes to replace a manufactured home with a new home and is requesting an area variance to reduce the rear yard setback from twenty-feet (25’) to twenty-one feet (21’) and exceed the maximum lot coverage requirement from thirty-six percent (36%) to 42.2%. The property is located at 3045 N. Dorothy Drive, also known as Lot 3 of Lemmerman Meadows Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District.
No board member had a conflict.
Lee Short, Cathy Colleran, and Ron Gillian were sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Short passed out a revised site plan that due to a recent survey, shows the front yard setback at twenty-four feet (24’) versus twenty-five feet (25’) and the rear yard setback at twenty-two feet (22’) versus twenty-one feet (21’). Mr. Short noted that the side yard setbacks do not change and that the home will line with the homes on both sides of the lot. The lot is 59’ 6” in width versus sixty feet (60’) and as a result, the cottage will be reduced by four inches (4”). Mr. Short commented that coverage is about eight percent (8%) over the maximum requirement and that Lemmerman Meadows is going through a transition where old single wide mobile homes are being replaced with double wides and stick built homes. The proposed home will have a full two (2) car garage, be 1½ stories in height, and be stick built.
Bill Baker questioned if the home will be used seasonally or full time. Ms. Colleran indicated that they are intending to move up to Catawba full time.
Mr. Short noted that the shed will be removed.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on all seven (7) items.
Rebecca Dubber moved to approve Case #737618 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. The motion passed with all members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #737619 Nina Patton
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicant is proposing an addition that will result in a three (3) family dwelling and is requesting an area variance to reduce both side yard setbacks from thirty-five feet (35’) to nineteen feet (19’), reduce the minimum lot depth requirement of 150 feet to 114.98 feet and exceed the multiple family dwelling density requirement to allow three (3) units. The property is located at 5425 E. Treasure Lane, also known as Lots 4 & 5 of Treasure Cove Subdivision “A”, and is situated in the “C-4” Recreational-Commercial District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Lee Short, Nina Patton, and Michael Patton were sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Short noted that residential in the “C-4” District reverts to the “R-4” District. Mr. Short indicated that the front yard is averaged, the rear yard is existing, the side yard is nineteen feet (19’) on the west side and 34.8 feet on the east side for the addition. The existing structure is 19.66’ off the east side. Mr. Short commented that the low-profile garage and shed are coming down and that a 2½ story addition will be constructed. Currently, the existing structure is a duplex and the addition will be a separate unit, which will be used by the property owners. The building height is thirty-three feet (33’) and the addition will be roughly seven feet (7’) further away from Treasure Lane versus the garage’s current location.
Rebecca Dubber questioned parking and Mr. Short indicated that sufficient parking is available off Treasure Lane. Mr. Bickley noted that two (2) parking spaces are required per unit.
Nina Patton indicated that they are currently using the one side of the current building and renting the back unit. Once construction is completed, the intent is for all units to be occupied by family and friends. Ms. Patton commented that they are not interested in short-term rentals.
Susan Scholz was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Scholz indicated that she has yet to see the plan layout, which she reviewed with Mr. Short.
Dave Bergman was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Bergman questioned if his side was the house side. Mr. Short indicated that Mr. Bergman’s side is the house side with a good amount of yard between the homes.
Both Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Baker questioned if it were possible to have a two-family dwelling versus a three-family dwelling. Mr. Bickley noted that the file does not have a request to convert the existing building into a two-family dwelling. The Board noted that the Patton’s intention is not to rent out a three (3) unit dwelling; however, a future owner may want to use it that way. Mr. Short noted that other options were considered, such as building a second floor on the existing building, but they were considered too expensive.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion form the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 on Items 1, 4, and 5; agreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on Item 7; disagreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 2 and 6; and disagreed with the applicant by a 3 – 2 vote on Item 3.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to approve the application as filed with the condition that the units cannot be offered as short-term rentals. The motion died for a lack of a second.
Brian Caldwell made a motion to deny Case #737619 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker. Mr. Bickley noted that the board can approve, deny or modify a request. Mr. Short noted that the rear unit of the existing building could be an in-law suite and not considered a separate unit that could be rented. Mr. Baker rescinded his second to deny Case #737619.
Bill Baker made a motion to approve Case #737619 with the following modification: the dwelling, with the addition, can be a two-family dwelling and the back unit of the existing building can be used as an in-law suite and not available to be rented. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. The motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #737629 James & Ashley Knight
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants are proposing to expand and connect an existing accessory building to the home and are requesting an area variance to reduce the rear yard setback from twenty-five feet (25’) to five feet (5’). The location is 3509 E. Wildwood Drive, also known as Lots 42, 44, and 46 of Wildwood Addition. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
James Knight was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Knight indicated that he would like to remove the front of the garage and attach the addition to the house. Mr. Knight reviewed the project rendition with the Board.
Mr. Baker questioned if there will be living area above the garage. Mr. Knight indicated that there will no living space in the garage and the intent of the garage is to have a place to park his cars. Mr. Knight noted that he has talked to his neighbors and the association and there are no objections to the project.
Mr. Baker commented on storing of construction materials and parking by the contractors. Mr. Knight commented that he has taken that into consideration and that his contractor lives behind him.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant on Items 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 by a 5 – 0 vote and disagreed with the applicant on Items 2 & 6 by a 5 – 0 vote.
Doug Blackburn made a motion to approve Case #737629 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. The motion passed 4 – 0 will all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Old Business
Case #158959 Catawba Moorings, Inc.
With no new information, the case remained tabled.
Other Business
No other business to conduct.
Approval of Minutes – November 13, 2024
The minutes for the November 13, 2024 meeting was mailed to each member. Doug Blackburn moved to approve the November 13, 2024 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Rebecca Dubber moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________ _________________________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Todd Bickley, Secretary