Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS





REGULAR MEETING - 2:00 P.M. ? JULY 11, 2007





The Regular Meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals was held Wednesday, July

11th, 2007 at 2:00 P.M., on the 1st Floor of the Government Center Annex in the

conference room, 420-10th Street. Mr. Billy Edwards, Board Chairman, called

the meeting to order. The board members present were:



Mr. Ralph King

Mr. Perry Borom

Mr. Wright Wade

Mr. Willie Lewis, Jr.





Also present representing the Inspections and Code Enforcement Department was

Mr. Danny Cargill, Secretary of the Board, and Mrs. Millicent Burden, Recording

Secretary. Ms. Tracy Hall was also present representing the Planning

Division.





CASE NO. 07-V045--GRANTED

Marvin E. Jones, 10530 Whitesville Road, to reduce the

rear yard setback requirement from 50 ft to 10 ft for an accessory structure.

The property is zoned RE1.



Mr. Jones stated that he had to move from his residence of 52 years and in

doing so, he had his storage buildings relocated by Banner Buildings who

informed him that he did not need a permit. He received a notice from the

building inspectors and went to purchase a permit. After which, he was

informed that he needed a variance for the setback requirements. He stated

that it was all just a mix-up.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. King made a motion to grant this appeal stating that the buildings were

moved and he was unaware of his requirements and it was not causing any

problems with the neighbors. Mr. Wade seconded the motion. Motion carried

unanimously.





CASE NO. 07-V046--GRANTED

Allen Layfield and Mulford Waldrop represented Jeffrey K. Martin, 3230 Park

Avenue, to reduce the side yard setback requirement from 5 ft to 3 ft; and to

reduce the rear yard setback requirement from 30 ft to 8 ft for a covered deck

and an addition. The property is zoned SFR4.



Mr. Layfield stated that he was there to represent the Martins in their absence

since he was familiar with the project. The roof on the back door had to be

raised to get a standard door installed and in doing so, he decided to add a

covered porch. The house is existing non-conforming.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Wade made a motion to grant this appeal stating that the house had a

non-conforming door and there was no objection from the neighbors. Mr. Lewis

seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.







CASE NO. 07-V047 & 07-V048--TABLED

Appeal of Robert Ashley, 2850 & 2852 Barbara Road, to reduce the side yard

setback requirement from 8 ft to 5 ft to erect a single-family residence. The

property is zoned SFR2.



Mr. King made a motion to table until the next meeting. Mr. Lewis seconded the

motion. Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 07-V049--GRANTED

Robert D. Duncan III, 2408 Country Club Road, to reduce the rear yard setback

requirement from 30 ft to 15 ft to erect a single-family residence. The

property is zoned SFR2.



Mr. Duncan stated that he bought the lot several months after the existing

house was torn down. The way the lot is situated on the corner, the house he

plans to build will dominate the corner if the variance is not granted. He

intends to build a house on the site that will compliment and add value to the

neighborhood.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Wade made a motion to grant this appeal stating that the homeowner would

build a home in the same style with the rest of the neighborhood. Mr. Borom

seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 07-V050--GRANTED

Ricky Wilder of Superior Pools Plus and Sandy Bacle, 13920 Heritage Drive, to

reduce the rear yard setback requirement from 50 ft to 5 ft for an accessory

structure. The property is zoned RE1.



Mr. Wilder stated that they will be installing a 18 x 36 in-ground pool. He

has to add a deck and a fence behind the pool and needs the 5 ft setback.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. King made a motion to grant this appeal stating that the septic system is

causing a problem with the placement and it will back up to a privacy fence.

Mr. Borom seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 07-V051--GRANTED

Jack Hughston of Edgar Hughston Builder, Inc., 5601 Poydasheff Court, to reduce

the corner side yard setback requirement from 25 ft to 15 ft to erect a

single-family residence. The property is zoned SFR3.



Mr. Hughston stated that this is a corner lot that is pie shaped. He would

like to have the variance granted to put a home on the lot with plenty of room

on each side and keep it in unison with the rest of the neighborhood. The

drainage will slope toward the side street.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Lewis made a motion to grant this appeal stating that there was no

opposition. Mr. Borom seconded the motion. Mr. King added that this was an

unusually shaped lot. Motion carried unanimously.



CASE NO. 07-V052--TABLED

Appeal of A-Airflow Awning, 2318 Lancelot Place, to reduce the side yard

setback requirement from 8 ft to 1 ft to erect a carport. The property is

zoned SFR3.



Mr. King made a motion to table this request until the next meeting. Mr. Lewis

seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 07-V053--GRANTED

Jason Palmer, 7121 Vinings Way, to reduce the side yard setback requirement

from 5 ft to 4 ft; and to reduce the rear yard setback requirement from 5 ft to

1 ft 6 in for an accessory structure. The property is zoned SFR3.



Jason & Michelle Palmer stated that this a project they decided

on for more storage and did not know they needed a building permit. After

being informed by a building inspector, they applied for the permit and were

told that they needed a variance. The storage building is still in the

construction phase and they work on the building when they have the funds to.

The back yard has an erosion problem and the building will help the problem.

They are using the same materials and colors to match the existing house. She

also stated that they did not have any neighborhood covenant regarding

accessory structures.



Sally Langley came forth in opposition to the request. She stated that they do

indeed have a neighborhood covenant and presented a copy to the board. She

referenced other neighbors with opposition to the request as well. After a

lengthy discussion, she asked the board not to grant the variance due to the

structure not being in compliance with the neighborhood covenant.



The board informed her that we do not enforce neighborhood covenants.



The Palmers stated to the board that whatever stipulations or alterations they

needed to make to keep the structure, they were willing to comply.



Mr. Lewis made a motion to grant this appeal based on the statement from the

applicant that they had invested time and finances in this structure but

acknowledged the opposition present. Mr. Borom seconded the motion. Mr.

Edwards added that the structure aided the erosion problem. Motion carried 3-1.





CASE NO. 07-V054 & 07-V055--GRANTED

Donald Bowles, Inc., 5151 & 5163 McCaghren Drive, to reduce the minimum lot

width requirement from 50 ft to 25 ft pending replat. The property is zoned

SFR4.



Mr. Bowles stated that he purchased the property three years ago and had it

rezoned to SFR4. At the time he presented to council a conceptual drawing that

showed 1 flag lot. With the new drawings given by Hobbs & Smith, it was

reviewed and approved by the Planning Division pending replat. The houses that

he plans to build will be similar to the ones he previously built in the River

Rock subdivision.



The Planning Division recommended approval stating that it does still meet the

lot size requirement for that district.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. King made a motion to grant this appeal stating that this is an unusual

plat that has received approval from council. Mr. Borom seconded the motion.

Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 07-V056--GRANTED

Clay Allen, 4219 Anglin Road, to reduce the minimum lot width requirement from

75 ft to 35 ft. The property is zoned SFR2.



Mr. Allen stated that he plans to build on parcel A. The driveway will not be

shared.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. King made a motion to grant this appeal. Mr. Wade seconded the motion.

Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 07-V057--TABLED

Don Cotton, 1242 6th Avenue, to replace existing non-conforming billboard; and

to reduce the distance from 1250 ft to 275 ft. The property is zoned HMI.



Ron Eddins represented Don Cotton during the hearing. He presented some

photographs to the board for review and stated that they would like to remove

the easement issue.



The board decided to table this meeting for further research into the request.



Mr. King made a motion to table the request. Mr. Borom seconded the motion.

Motion carried unanimously.



CASE NO. 07-V058--GRANTED

Robert Teasley of Signs Inc., 6499-B Whittlesey Boulevard, to increase the

height requirement of a sign from 35 ft to 85 ft. The property is zoned GC.



Mr. Teasley stated that the sign was to keep in line with the other signs in

the area and located behind the Ashley Furniture sign. The reason they are

requesting the variance is for readability from Veterans Parkway.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. King made a motion to grant this appeal stating that this is an extreme

height adjustment but is needed to be in line with the other signs in the

area. Mr. Wade seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 07-V059--GRANTED

Robert Teasley of Signs Inc., 3700 Woodlawn Avenue, to increase the square

footage of a sign from 15 ft to 70 ft. The property is zoned RMF1.



Mr. Teasley stated that the sign is similar to the one that they have installed

at the other schools. It will be unlighted because of the neighbors. It will

be made with the same materials also.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Lewis made a motion to grant this appeal stating that the sign conforms

with the other signs for schools. Mr. Wade seconded the motion. Motion

carried unanimously.







CASE NO. 07-V060--GRANTED

Ed Braun & Kia Autosport, 1801 Box Road, to increase the height of a sign from

35 ft to 54 ft; and to remove existing sign. The property is zoned GC.



Mr. Braun stated that they are taking down the existing sign in front of the

dealership and would like to put up a KIA sign along the interstate and make it

a little higher. The sign will not block any of the other signs in the area.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Borom made a motion to grant this appeal stating that it will be keeping

with the uniformity of the area. Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. Motion

carried unanimously.



CASE NO. 07-V061--GRANTED

Aaron Guest of the Copley Group, 4335 Victory Drive, to reduce the number of

off street parking spaces from 54 to 44. The property is zoned GC.



Mr. Guest stated that this would be a plasma donation center and following the

guidelines of the UDO, the building with that amount of square footage requires

54 and they would put in 44. There will be underground detentions.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. King made a motion to grant this appeal stating that the applicant stated

that there will only be 12 employees and will not take up many spaces and there

is limited space and they will have a detention system under the parking lot.

Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.



CASE NO. 07-V062--GRANTED

Joe Johnson of Jordan, Jones & Goulding, Inc., 5520 Whittlesey Boulevard, to

reduce the width of the driving aisle from 24 ft to 22.25 ft; and to reduce the

parking space length from 20 ft to 18 ft. The property is zoned GC.



Mr. Johnson stated that this is a new restaurant being constructed and had a

mess up during construction. The building was built 2 ft further back than it

was supposed to be and that reduces the amount of available sidewalk space.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. King made a motion to grant this appeal stating that the reduction will be

in the rear of the building where the employees will park. Mr. Wade seconded

the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 07-V063--GRANTED

Chip and Karen Griffin, homeowners, 8601 Garrett Road, to reduce the rear yard

setback requirement from 50 ft to 35 ft to erect a pool. The property is zoned

RE1.



Mr. Griffin stated that the lot is odd shaped and not very deep and they were

asking for a variance to erect a pool. He consulted with his neighbors and

they did not oppose. There will be a privacy fence around the property line.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Lewis made a motion to grant this appeal stating that there will be a fence

surrounding the property. Mr. Wade seconded the motion. Mr. Edwards added

that this is a rural setting. Motion carried unanimously.



There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned

at 3:28 p.m.













____________________ __________________

Billy Edwards Bill Duck

Chairperson Secretary





_____________________ __________________

Ralph King Danny Cargill

Vice Chairperson Acting Secretary



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