Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-18-01-140 — EAST WEST PLACE, LLC

Request: Special Exception in the R-1 zoning district to construct a parking lot in conjunction with commercial business located on 2500 Curry Ford Rd.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The applicant proposes to construct a parking lot on a residentially zoned property. Staff stated this property is located on a residential street and is located two lots in from the commercial located to the north. This property was rezoned from R-1A to R-1 in 2008. The property directly to the north has split zoning of commercial/residential. Staff recommended denial of the Special Exception as it would be an intrusion into the residential area and the parking lot will directly abut several residential properties. The applicant stated that this lot is one portion of an overall development of the entire area. The applicant stated this area would be called the "Hourglass district" and this parking would support the commercial uses in the vicinity. The BZA raised the question of why the applicant cannot convert the property to the north into a parking lot. The applicant stated that the structure on the property is too valuable and it would need to be re-zoned as it is currently zoned R-1A. The neighbor directly to the south spoke in opposition of the application. He stated this parking lot does not fit in with residential area, would be a nuisance to the street, and would directly abut his residence. The applicant and BZA discussed the possibilities of re-zoning the property and/or using other properties for this use. The BZA concluded that this parking lot was necessary to support the redevelopment of the area and met most the Special Exception criteria. The BZA approved the request and added two additional conditions to the staff recommendation. The applicant agreed to construct a 6 ft high concrete/masonry wall on the south side of the property which abuts residential.