Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-22-09-087 — Mahmudul Alam

Request: Variances in the R-1AA zoning district as follows: 1) To allow a 6 ft. high masonry wall in the front yard in lieu of 4 ft. high. 2) To allow a 6 ft. high masonry wall with 6 ft. high gates within the clear view triangle.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: SYNOPSIS: Staff described the proposal, including the location of the property, the site plan, and photos of the site. Staff provided an analysis of the six (6) criteria and the reasons for a recommendation for denial of the variances. Staff noted that no comments were received in favor of the application, and one (1) was received in opposition. The applicant discussed the need for the requested Variances for security and noted the similar walls and gates in the surrounding area, including the property located directly adjacent to the proposal. There was one (1) in attendance to speak in favor of the request and noted along the Darlene Drive there are similar height of fences and walls. There was no one in attendance to speak in opposition to the request. The BZA discussed Variance #1 and the rationale for the requested wall height and discussed Variance #2, and the concerns about the location of the wall and gate in the clear view triangle, noted the safety concerns with the proposal located in close proximity to the street and a curvature in the road, determined that there are other alternatives to meet the clear view triangle, and unanimously recommended approval of Variance #1 and denial of Variance #2 by a 6-0 vote, with one abstention, subject to the four (4) conditions in the staff report.