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. ? MARCH 7, 2007





The Regular Meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals was held Wednesday, March 7,

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. 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.



VARIANCES:



Case No. 07-V007?-Granted:

Robert Teasley of Signs Inc., presented the appeal of 2919 Warm Springs Road,

for a variance to increase the number of signs allowed from 1 to 2; and to

reduce the front setback requirement from 3 ft to 0. The property is zoned GC.



Mr. Teasley stated that the sign in question is located at the entrance. They

will remove the existing sign to erect the new one. They would like visibility

from the Lindsey Creek Bypass and an entrance sign off of Warm Springs Road.

The reason for the zero lot line is due to placing the sign in the parking

lot.



There was no opposition presented to this appeal.



Mr. King made a motion to grant the appeal based on the fact that this is an

unusual location that fronts two major roads and the need for two signs is

there. Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





Case No. 07-V008--Granted:

Jude Tharpe of Columbus Hall Apartments, presented the appeal of 6366 Warm

Springs Road, for a variance to increase the square footage of a sign from 15

ft to 32 ft. The property is zoned RMF2.



Mr. Tharpe stated that he is appealing for more square footage of the

lettering. He presented photographs of identical signs that they are proposing

to erect. He also stated that it would not be close to the road. It will be

located on a center island.



Lynn Lopez & Jean Flowers came forth requesting to see a copy of the proposed

drawings. Mr. Tharpe explained in detail the location of the sign. Mrs. Lopez

wanted Mr. Tharpe to reassure her and Mrs. Flowers that the sign would not

obstruct the view of oncoming traffic. Mr. Tharpe explained that the sign

would be approximately 10 ft behind the car at the stop sign.



Mr. Edwards explained that the sign is not as large as they are imagining. It

is actually the structure of the monument that seems impressive to them.



Mr. Edwards also mentioned that there were also two additional letters

submitted in opposition to this case.



Mr. Lewis made a motion to grant the appeal after lengthy discussions with the

adjacent property owners whom seemed satisfied with the outcome. Mr. Borom

seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





Case No. 07-V009--Granted:

Ben Moody of Sunshine Banners & Signs, presented the appeal of 7482 Old Moon

Road, for a variance to increase the total square footage of all signs combined

from 15 ft to 98 ft; and to increase the number of signs allowed from 3 to 4.

(Modification to original appeal) To replace existing non-conforming signs that

was destroyed by the tornado. The property is zoned RMF2.



Mr. Moody stated that he has been contracted to improve the existing sign. It

has been there for a very long time and has never been permitted. He plans to

use metal and polymetal materials.





There was no opposition presented to this appeal.



Mr. Borom made a motion to grant this appeal based on the fact that they are

replacing most of the existing signs. Mr. King seconded the motion. Motion

passed unanimously.



Case No. 07-V010?Granted:

Tom Scott presented the appeal of 2100 Forest Avenue, for a variance to

increase the square footage of an existing sign from 15 ft to 55 ft. The

property is zoned RMF1.



Mr. Scott stated that they would like to improve the signage of the front yard

of the church. He presented some photographs to reflect what the existing

signs look like as well as the structure of the church. Those are the

materials that they will utilize to improve the appearance of the sign. He

also submitted a rough drawing of what the proposed sign would look like.



There was no opposition presented to this appeal.



Mr. Borom made a motion to grant this appeal based on the fact that they are

replacing the existing sign and keeping with the same material of the church.

Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





Case No. 07-V011--Granted:

Rick McKnight presented the appeal of 11 Linden Point Road, for a variance to

reduce the rear setback requirement from 30 ft to 14 ft. The property is zoned

SFR4.



Mr. McKnight stated that the property is very narrow and has an existing

two-story structure. He plans to remove the top and make it a bookend and a

connector in between. Georgia Power is the only thing that is next to this

property. He has spoken with Georgia Power and they do not oppose this

variance.



Jennifer Collins and Annette Santiago from the Bibb City Neighborhood

Association came forth in support. They stated that they are very excited

about Mr. McKnight and his family moving into the area. They also thanked him

for keeping the flavor of the neighborhood.



There was no opposition presented to this appeal.



Mr. King made a motion to grant this appeal stating that the house is currently

in place and will be renovated with limited space to upgrade. Mr. Lewis

seconded the motion. Mr. Edwards added that the existing structure does not

conform with the rear setback requirements and would only be encroaching on the

Georgia Power easement. Motion carried unanimously.





Case No. 07-V012--Granted:

Richard Scogin presented the appeal of 9271 Collinwood Drive, for a variance to

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

house. The property is zoned RE1.



Mr. Scogin stated that his whole yard was wooded and he has cleared everything

himself and re-landscaped the entire back yard. His reason for the request is

that he would like to save as many trees as possible. He has spoken to his

neighbor closest to him that will be affected. He also presented a letter in

support of the variance from that neighbor.



There was no opposition presented to this appeal.



Mr. Borom made a motion to grant this appeal based on the fact that he is

trying to save as many trees as possible. Mr. King seconded the motion.

Motion carried unanimously.



Case No. 07-V013--Granted:

James Johnson of Neighbor Works Columbus, presented the appeal of 2797 8th

Street, for a variance to reduce the rear setback requirement from 30 ft to 18

ft to erect a single-family residence. The property is zoned RMF1.



Mr. Johnson stated that he has looked at flipping the house and putting the

driveway on the left side of the house and he still would not have 30 ft

setback and would also have water meter and sewer problems.



There was no opposition presented to this appeal.



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

shaped lot and is unusual and it would be keeping with the look of the

neighborhood. Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





Case No. 07-V014?Granted:

Howard Bartlett and Rob Barefield of Hobart Builders Inc., presented the appeal

of 1084 N. Country Court, for a variance to reduce the rear setback requirement

from 50 ft to 31 ft to erect a pool house and pool. The property is zoned RE1.



Mr. Barefield presented some photographs that show various angles of where they

propose to erect the pool and pool house. There is a buffer on the right hand

side between the structure and the street. There will also be an access road

to get the equipment onto the property that they will close at the end of the

project. The topography also slopes slightly.



There was no opposition presented to this appeal.



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

shaped lot where the pool would not affect the neighboring home. Mr. Borom

seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.









Case No. 07-V015 & 07-V016?Granted:

Ken Martin presented the appeal of 7934 Aurora Drive Lots 1 & 2, for a variance

to reduce the minimum lot width requirement from 75 ft to 65.5 ft pending

replat for Lot 1, and from 75 ft to 64.5 ft pending replat for Lot 2. The

property is zoned SFR2.



Mr. Martin stated that he has rebuilt but it is sitting on one side of the

lot. He desires to even it up to divide the lot into two lots to build another

house.



This variance meets the minimum lot requirement as far as square footage; it

just does not meet the width requirement. The Planning Department has no

problem with this request.



Mr. Borom made a motion to grant the appeal based on the lot size meeting the

minimum lot footage requirements. Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. Motion

carried unanimously.













Mr. King made a motion to nominate Billy Edwards as the Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Borom seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.



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

at 3:21 p.m.













____________________ __________________

Billy Edwards Bill Duck

Chairperson Secretary





_____________________ __________________

Danny Cargill

Vice Chairperson Acting Secretary







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