Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-00-11-014 — Alton Arnold

Request: Variances in R-1AA zone to erect an opened canopy structure for parking use as follows: 1. To be located in front of the principal building in lieu of rear; 2. Two (2) ft. and five (5) ft. from front property line in lieu of 30 ft.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The subject accessory building is a two car open carport fronting on Lakeside Drive and adjacent to Maplewood Drive. The carport was built without a permit, and cited by Code Enforcement via complaint. The applicant is a building contractor and admitted to having not applied for the permit. Staff noted the applicant already has a two-car garage and three paved parking spaces in front of his home; he was questioned why the carport was needed. The applicant stated it is for personal convenience. He noted that others in the neighborhood have been parking in this area, and that adding the carport alleviated some of the drainage problems occuring in the neighborhood. Several commentaries were received in favor. The commentaries addressed the coloration of the carport, which was painted green to blend in with the adjacent trees and shrubbery. One neighboring property owner appeared in opposition. He stated Lakeside Drive is a very narrow street with buildings close to one another. It was his feeling that the carport added to the clutter in the neighborhood and detracted from the open space within front yards. Further, the carport is too close to Maplewood Street; he felt there would be a safety problem with vehicles coming in and out of Maplewood accessing Lakeside Drive. In rebuttal, the applicant stated Maplewood is a tiny alleyway that is rarely used. The neighbor across the street from Mr. Arnold spoke in favor; he stated that before Mr. Arnold built the carport, storm water drainage from that area used to pool in the street in front of his home. Since the carport was built, most of that drainage problem has been resolved. The BZA recommended approval for the following reasons: 1. The carport did not visually impact the neighboring properties due to its location at the end of the street and its design and coloration blending in with its surroundings; 2. BZA added a condition defering responsibility to the applicant in the event there be a traffic*