Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-13-12-099 — Crawford House

Request: Special Exception in R-1A zone to allow a community center and variances as follows: 1) To allow 70 ft. of lot width in lieu of 75 ft. (lot was created in 1960) 2) To allow unpaved parking spaces in lieu of paved 3) To allow 6 parking spaces in lieu of 7 4) To allow 19 ft. rear yard setback in lieu of 30 ft. 5) To allow waivers from the Landscaping Code (Chapter 24, O.C. Code)

Decision: Denied

Hearing: The applicant represents the Pine Castle Pioneer Days, Inc. They coordinate and organize the annual Pioneer Days Festival which celebrates Pine Castle's history.

Currently, the historic Crawford House exists on property owned by the City of Belle Isle to the north of the proposed site. The applicant wants to relocate the Crawford House on a single family zoned lot to the south.Their intent is to refurbish it and use it as a central location to coordinate the annual festival. Board meetings would take place in the house. The festival does not take place at this location but rather to the north where the house currently sits.

Staff gave its presentation. The primary issue was how to restrict the nland uses conducted inside the house. The applicant's long term goal is to lease a part of the ghouse to a second party to be used as a real estate office. This would supplement the applicant's income which would be used to pay for operational costs. However, staff advised the BZA and the applicant that the property and the special exception does not allow for office use by a second party. This would require a comprehensive plan amendment and a rezoning. Staff imposed conditions as to how the house could be used.

Several area residents spoke in opposition, including the most impacted property owner to the south. They stated there was no evidence that the City of Belle Isle was forcing the Crawford House off the property.

The BZA questioned why the house could not remain at its present location. It would be cheaper to leave it where it is and refurbish it. The BZA asked the applicant if they could prove in writing that the house had to be removed from its present location. The applicant did not provide a clear answer to this question. The BZA also felt this was an attempt to rezone the parcel to office use and felt the applicant should simply go through the rezoning process to accomplish the applicant's goals. The BZA concluded this request was not embraced by t*