Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-17-07-054 — CHRISTOPHER MARTIN

Request: Variances in the R-1A zoning district as follows: 1) To allow a recreational vehicle in front of the principal residence in lieu of along side or rear yards; and, 2) To allow a recreational vehicle 8 ft. from the front property line in lieu of 25 ft.; and, 3) To allow detached accessory bldg. (shed) to remain 4 ft. from side and 3 ft. from rear property lines in lieu of 5 ft. (Note: Due to the presence of pool and H/VAC equipment on either side of the residence, there is insufficient room (approximately 5 ft.) to maneuver the RV to the rear of the residence. The applicant submitted a petition of support with signatures from 28 residences in the area.)

Decision: Approved

Hearing: Staff gave a presentation on the case. It addressed the request, the RV location and a brief analysis. The applicant explained his wife's condition and requested the condition regarding the vegetative buffer be removed due to the lack of space and the fact that the adjacent neighbor does not want it. Three neighbors spoke in favor of the request, including residents of the 2 immediately adjacent properties. The BZA stated they do not like to see an RV this size in a neighborhood, but acknowledged this was a unique circumstance, involving medical need. The BZA was impressed by the tremendous community show of support. The BZA agreed to remove the condition requiring a vegetative buffer and wanted to add a condition that the approval was for this applicant only. Staff received 30 commentaries in favor of the application and 5 in opposition. There was no opposition at the hearing. The BZA approved the variance, with the removal of the condition requiring a vegetative buffer and the addition of the condition that the approval is for the current owner, Christopher Martin only.