HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15 BZA Staff Report
VARIANCE APPLICATION #07-15
OAKCREST BUILDERS
Staff Report for the Board of Zoning Appeals
Prepared: November 30, 2015
Staff Contact: Mark Cheran, Zoning Administrator
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This report is prepared by the Frederick County Planning Staff to provide information to the Board
of Zoning Appeals to assist them in making a decision on this request. It may also be useful to
others interested in this zoning matter.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING DATE:
December 15, 2015
Public Hearing; Action Pending
LOCATION: The property is located at the northeastern corner of Harvest Ridge Drive and Mikey
Court in the Village at Harvest Ridge subdivision.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Gainesboro
PROPERTY ID NUMBER: 63-9-4-67
PROPERTY ZONING & USE: Zoned: RP (Residential Performance)
Land Use: Vacant
ADJOINING PROPERTY ZONING & USE:
North: RP (Residential Performance) Use: Residential
South: RP (Residential Performance) Use: Residential
East: RP (Residential Performance) Use: Residential
West: RP (Residential Performance) Use: Residential
VARIANCE REQUESTED: The Applicant is requesting a 10 foot front yard variance to the required
20 foot front setback resulting in a 10 foot front setback for a dwelling.
REASON FOR VARIANCE: Narrowness of the lot to allow for a single-family dwelling to
meet the front setback requirements.
STAFF COMMENTS: This application is for a variance based on the narrowness of the platted
lot. The lots within this subdivision known as Village at Harvest Ridge are single-family small
lots. This lot type has a minimum lot size of 3,750 square feet. The setback requirements for this
Variance #07-15 – Oakcrest Builders
Page 2
November 30, 2015
lot size are: front 25 foot, sides 5 foot, and rear 15 foot. This lot is a corner lot of 8,069 square
feet and has the following setbacks: front 20 foot, sides 5 foot, and rear 15 foot. The Applicant is
requesting a 10 foot front yard variance to the required 20 foot setback, resulting in a 10 ft. front
setback. The Applicant is requesting the variance based on earlier plat that shows a 10 foot
setback along Harvest Drive.
STAFF CONCLUSIONS FOR THE DECEMBER 15, 2015 MEETING: The Code of Virginia
15.2-2309 (2) and Code of Frederick 165-1001.2, states that no variance shall be granted unless the
application can meet the following requirements:
1) The property interest for which the variance is being requested was acquired in good
faith.
2) The granting of the variance will not be a substantial detriment to adjoining property
or nearby properties in the proximity of that geographical area.
3) The condition or situation of the property concerned is not of so general or recurring
as to make reasonably practicable the formulation of a general regulation to be
adopted as an amendment to the ordinance.
4) The granting of the variance does not result in a use that is otherwise permitted on
such property or a change in the zoning classification of the property.
5) The relief or remedy sought by the variance is not available through a special
exception or the process for modification of a zoning ordinance.
This proposed variance does not meet the above-referenced requirements, as the platted lot meets
and exceeds the square foot requirement of the single-family small lot. The Applicant knew the
limits of the lot and should work within those limitations. Therefore, this variance should not be
granted.