Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-16-01-128 — ROBERT THOMAS

Request: Variance in the R-2 zoning district to permit 1,657.6 cumulative sq. ft. of accessory structures in lieu of 500 sq. ft. (Note: Existing on-site is a 868 sq. ft. carport and a 285.6 sq. ft. shed. The new structure will be 504 sq. ft. Total sq. footage = 1657.6)

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The applicant is requesting a variance to construct an accessory building containing 504 sq. ft., for a cumulative total of 1,657.6 sq. ft. of accessory structures. Staff gave a presentation. Staff advised they had concerns about adding square footage to result in 230% over the permitted 500 sq. ft. The applicant's representative stated the owner wanted the additional accessory building to raise orchids. However, the owner stated the accessory building would be used as a carport with minimal orchid storage. The BZA concluded it was a self created hardship, and expressed concern about the amount of increase proposed since the accessory building square footage was already in excess of what is permitted by code. Staff received three (3) commentaries in favor of the application and none in opposition. There was no opposition at the hearing. The BZA approved a variance for a maximum of 1,153.6 sq. ft. (the amount of the existing accessory building square footage, but not the additional 504 sq. ft.).