Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-02-10-126 — Ronald E. Flora

Request: Variance in R-1A (single family-7,500 sq. ft. lots) zone to construct single family residence on substandard size lot as follows: 1. 50 ft. lot width in lieu of 75 ft.; 2. 6,000 sq. ft. lot area in lieu of 7,500 sq. ft.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: Staff recommended denial of the request in that the majority of lots in the area are 75 feet or greater. There are three 50-ft. lots that have been grandfathered-in, and no variances approved for a substandard lot. The applicant stated he wants to sell the property. They have a builder lined up to construct the new house for a sale subject to receiving variance approval. Two commentaries were received in favor and three in opposition. One neighboring property owner spoke in opposition. He felt the a 50-ft. lot was out of context with the neighborhood and worried that variance approval would set a precedent. He stated another property owner on Grant St. with a 125-ft. wide lot would be filing a variance request to do the same if the subject application is approved. The BZA felt approval of the request would not have a detrimental impact on the area, noting there did not appear to be many vacant lands left to split into additional 50-ft. wide lots.