Nov 03, 2021 Board of Zoning Adjustment

[ROLL CALL]

[00:00:16]

>> CALL TO ORDER THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3. WE WILL START WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE.

[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THE MINUTES FROM LAST MONTH?>> MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. FROM SEPTEMBER?

>> OCTOBER 6. >> SECOND.

>>

[CHAIRMAN'S OPENING REMARKS]

[1. Variance to Table 5-2, Lot area, Setback, Bulk Regulations and Parking Requirements: Neighborhood Conservation District, of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance]

202-1007 29. >> THE APPLICANT FOR THIS VARIANCE HAS REQUESTED A POSTPONEMENT IN ORDER TO RECONSIDER THEIR DESIGN WHICH MIGHT IMPACT THAT VARIANCES

THEY MIGHT WANT TO REQUEST. >> OKAY.

I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE UNTIL OUR MEETING ON

DECEMBER 21, IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES.

>> SECOND.

[2. Variance to Table 5-2, Lot area, Setback, Bulk Regulations and Parking Requirements: Neighborhood Conservation District, of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance]

OUR NEXT VARIANCE, VARIANCE. >> I NEED TO EXCUSE MYSELF FROM

THIS ONE (INDISCERNIBLE). >> ARE YOU READY?

>> YES. >> THIS REQUEST IS TO VARIANCES, THE TABLE 52 OF THE CITY OF AUBURN'S OF OR AND AND.

THE FIRST REQUEST IS FOR A VARIANCE OF APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET AND A SETBACK OF 30 FEET TO ALLOW A SET T SETBACK.

THE SECOND REQUEST IS GOING TO BE A VARIANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 16 FEET TO THE MINIMUM REAR SETBACK OF 35 FEET TO ALLOW CAREER SETBACK OF APPROXIMATELY 19 FEET.

THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 505 AUBURN DRIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION ZONING DISTRICT.

IT IS NC-11. IT'S JUST OVER 1/4 ACRE IN SIZE AND IT IS DEVELOPED FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOME.

OTHER THAN THE MULTIPLE UNIT DEVELOPMENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NORTH OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY, THE REMAINING ADJOINING PROPERTIES ARE SINGLE-FAMILY. THIS PROPERTY IS A LEGALLY NONCONFORMING PLOT OF RECORD. IT DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. AND TAKES ACCESS FROM A 10 FOOT PRIVATE GRAVEL DRIVE IN FRONT OF THE HOME.

IT CURRENTLY ENCROACHES INTO THE FRONT AND REAR SETBACKS.

THE APPLICANT IS EXPLORING OPTIONS TO REDEVELOP THE PROPERTY. IN THE VARIANCES ARE SOUGHT IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR A TEAR DOWN AND REBUILD SCENARIO.

THE VARIANCES WOULD ALLOW A NEW HOME TO BE CONSTRUCTED THAT MATCHES THE LIMITS OF THE ENCROACHMENT OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE. THIS PLAN WILL SHOW THE EXISTING ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE FRONT AND REAR SETBACKS.

APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET INTO THE FRONT AND APPROXIMATELY 16 FEET INTO THE REAR. THE NEXT PLAN IS GOING TO SHOW THE CONSTRUCTION FOOTPRINT THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE REQUIRED SETBACKS. AND ALSO TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE PRESENCE OF A SEPTIC TANK AND FIELD LINES ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE PROPERTY.

THE NEXT EXHIBIT IS GOING TO DEPICT THE BUILDING FOOTPRINT THAT IS PROPOSED IF THE VARIANCES ARE APPROVED.

THE FOOTPRINT HAS BEEN EXPANDED A BIT TO THE WEST BUT IT DOES REMAIN WITHIN THE REQUIRED SIT SETBACK .

FOR NC-11. AFTER ALL OF THAT, WHILE THERE ARE CERTAIN UNIQUE CERTAIN SET:CIRCUMSTANCES IN PLACE, STAFF DOES NOT FEEL ALL THE REQUIRED (INDISCERNIBLE) FOR

[00:05:05]

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. >> THANK YOU.

SO RIGHT NOW, YOU SAID IT IS -- I'VE DRIVEN BACK THERE BEFORE, AND IT'S -- IT'S NOT CONFORMING -- THE BUILDING IS, AND THE LOTS ALSO? OR THE LOT IS FINE? AS FAR AS -- MINIMUM SQUARE FOOTAGE?

OR --? >> IT DOES NOT HAVE PUBLIC --

>> IT'S NC-12 BUT IT'S ZONED 11?

>> (INDISCERNIBLE) STOP. >> I ASSUME IT DOES NOT HAVE

ACCESS TO SEWER? >> THE ACCESS TO SEWER WOULD BE REQUIRED IF THE HOME WAS TORN DOWN AND REBUILT.

>> OKAY. WHAT'S THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE OF

NC-11? >> 11,000 SQUARE FEET.

>> AND YOU SAID THIS IS 1/4? >> .26 ACRES.

WHICH IS JUST OVER 11,000 SQUARE FEET.

THE FRONT IS 30 AND THE REAR IS 35.

THE MINIMUM SIDE IS 12 AND THE TOTAL SIDE IS 25.

>> AMBER, AM I READING IT RIGHT? IN YOUR REPORT, UNDER SECTION D, THAT IF THEY BUILT WITHIN THE ALLOWABLE BUILDING AREA, EVEN WITHOUT REMOVING THE SUBJECT LINES, THEY WOULD STILL HAVE 1900 SQUARE FEET OF

BUILDABLE AREA? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> ON ONE FLOOR, CORRECT? >> CORRECT.

>> THAT'S A PRETTY BIG HOUSE. >> YEAH.

>> ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? THANK YOU, AMBER. IS THE APPLICANT HERE?

>> WES THRASH HER. I BROUGHT A FLASH DRIVE WITH A PRESENTATION ON IT THAT I WANTED TO GO THROUGH AS I TALK.

THE FIRST SLIDE ON THAT, IF WE COULD PULL THAT UP? THANK YOU, AMBER, FOR PRESENTING THE PROJECT.

THE FIRST SLIDE IS A SURVEY OF THE EXISTING LOT.

IT SHOWS THE OLDER HOUSE THAT FACES TO THE SOUTH.N THE FRONT, YOU CAN SEE THE 10 FOOT PRIVATE DRIVE TO THE SOUTH OR TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SHEET. HE 10 FOOT GRAVEL DRIVE.

THE SECOND AND THIRD SLIDES SHOW PICTURES OF THE OLDER HOUSE. IT IS AN EXISTING HOUSE.

IT'S A RENTAL HOUSE THAT IS NOT WELL MAINTAINED.

AND THEN, PICTURE SLIDES NUMBER 4 AND FIVE SHOW A PICTURE OF THE HOUSE AT 501 AUBURN DRIVE. AND I INCLUDED A MAP OF THE LOCATION. IT SITS JUST TO THE WEST OF THAT EXISTING HOUSE AND FACES THE CUL-DE-SAC ON AUBURN DRIVE.

THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS A PICTURE OF THE HOUSE AT 509 AUBURN DRIVE. IT ALSO FACES AUBURN DRIVE AND I INCLUDED A MAP ON THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWING ITS LOCATION ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. SLIDES EIGHT AND NINE -- SLIDE EIGHT SHOWS A PICTURE OF THE HOUSE AT 507 AUBURN DRIVE.

THAT IS ACTUALLY TO THE WEST OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.SO THAT JUST GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF THE EXISTING HOUSES IN THE AREA.

THEY ARE NICER HOUSES. WELL MAINTAINED.

THEY ARE OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSES, WHEREAS THE SUBJECT HOUSE IS A RENTAL PROPERTY AND IS NOT WELL MAINTAINED.

THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS EXISTING 10 FOOT GRAVEL DRIVE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE HOUSES FRONT AUBURN DRIVE.

WE ARE BEING TOLD WE HAVE TO TAKE EXCESS OF THE 10 FOOT GRAVEL DRIVE, WHICH IS NOT A PUBLIC STREET.

IT'S UP STOMACH PRIVATE DRIVE. THE EXISTING HOUSES THERE USE THAT AS A SIDE STREET. IF WE WERE ALLOWED TO FACE THE PUBLIC STREET, WHICH IS AUBURN DRIVE, IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE -- SLIDE 11? WE WOULDN'T BE REQUESTING A VARIANCE BECAUSE THAT WOULD ALLOW FOOTPRINT.

IF YOU CAN SEE, IF IT WAS ALLOWED TO FACE THE PUBLIC DRIVE TO THE WEST THE 30 FOOT SETBACK WOULD BE ON THE WEST SIDE AND THE 35 SETBACK WOULD BE ON THE EAST SIDE AND YOU WOULD HAVE THE 12 AND HAVE SETBACK BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH.

[00:10:01]

SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WERE DIRECTED BY STAFF THAT WE HAD TO FACE TOWARDS THE GRAVEL DRIVE.

AGAIN, BOTH THE HOUSES TO THE WEST FACE TO THE WEST AND FACE AUBURN DRIVE. THAT IS ONE HARDSHIP IS, YOU KNOW WHAT DICTATES WHAT THE FRONT OF THE LOT IS.

THERE IS A GRAVEL DRIVE THERE, BUT IT'S JUST AN EXCESS.

BECAUSE THAT LOT IS LAND LOCKED.HERE IS ACTUALLY NO FRONTAGE ON THE PUBLIC STREET. SO IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE? THIS SHOWS THE ALLOWABLE BUILDING AREA OUTLINED IN BLUE. GIVEN THE CONSTRAINTS AMBER MENTIONED WITH THE BUILDING SETBACKS FROM THE NC-11 AND THE EXISTING SEPTIC SYSTEM. THE RED SHOWS WHERE THE EXISTING HOUSE ENCROACHES BEYOND THOSE SETBACKS TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH. ALSO, I WANT TO NOTE THAT THIS WAS AN EXISTING LOT RECORD PRIOR TO THE NC ZONING.

SO WE FEEL LIKE ZONING AS PART OF THE HARDSHIP FOR BEING ABLE TO REBUILD THIS LOT. IT'S AN OLDER HOME.

AT ONE TIME I HEARD IT WAS BUILT AROUND THE 1930S.

IN THE REPORT IT MIGHT HAVE SAID 1950S.

IT'S AN OLDER HOUSE. SO, IT WAS THERE ON THE RECORD PRIOR TO THE NC-11 ZONING. IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT LIKELY THIS SHOWS THE DEPTH OF THE LOT -- WELL, IT DOESN'T SHOW IT. BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT HERE THAT THE DEPTH OF THIS LOT COMPARED TO THE ADJACENT LOTS IS A LOT SHALLOWER. WE CAN LOOK AT ANOTHER MAP LATER THAT SHOWS THE ADJACENT LOTS AROUND IT.BUT THIS IS JUST REALLY A SMALL LOT COMPARED TO THE LOTS AROUND IT.

BUT THIS SHOWS THE BUILDING SETBACKS IN ADDITION TO THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS. IT REDUCES AREA BASICALLY TO AND UNUSABLE AREA. IT WOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO THE SIZE OF A DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME.

SO THAT YOU SEE OUTLINED IN RED AND SHADED IN BLUE IS A TYPICAL FOOTPRINT OF A DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME.

I JUST PULL THAT OFF LINE. A 23 INCH BY 52 FOOTPRINT.

YOU CAN SEE IT TAKES UP MOST OF THE USABLE AREA THERE.

IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE PLEASE? THIS SHOWS WHAT THE POTENTIAL BUYER ENVISIONS TO BUILD.

THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING AREA.

A MUCH NICER HOME THEN IS WHAT THEY ARE.

MORE OF A WRAPAROUND PORCH, SOUTHERN STYLE HOME.

THIS IS NOT A PLAN. THIS IS JUST WHAT THEY ARE ENVISIONING FOR THE PROPERTY. AND THEN, IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE? THIS SLIDE SHOWS WHERE WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING ADDITIONAL.E ARE JUST ASKING TO MAINTAIN THE ENCROACHMENTS TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH.

AGAIN, WE WOULD PUSH THAT OUT TO THE WEST BUT WE ARE PUSHING IT TOWARDS THE POTENTIAL BUYER'S PROPERTY AND WE ARE NOT ENCROACHING INTO THE SETBACK TO THE WEST.F WE HOLD AND MAINTAIN THE EXISTING ENCROACHMENT TO THE NORTH, THE EXISTING ENCROACHMENT TO THE SOUTH AND PUSH OUT TO THE WEST, WE CAN'T PUSH OUT TO THE EAST BECAUSE OF THE SANITARY SYSTEM.

THE SEPTIC SYSTEM. THAT SHOWS THE FOOTPRINT OF WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING THERE. THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS A MAP OF THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS THAT HAVE PROVIDED LETTERS OF SUPPORT IN GREEN. THE BLUE HIGHLIGHTED IS THE POTENTIAL BUYER'S PROPERTY. SO, YOU CAN SEE THAT MOST OF THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS WANT TO SEE SOMETHING HERE THAT WILL IMPROVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND BE MORE IN CONFORMANCE OF WHAT IS CURRENTLY THERE AS FAR AS THE HOUSES .

SOMETHING THAT IS NICER AND WELL MAINTAINED, COMPARED TO THE HOUSES AROUND IT. I ALSO INCLUDED THE FINAL FEW SLIDES -- THERE ARE THREE OF THOSE THAT INCLUDE THE LETTERS OF SUPPORT . WE PROVIDED THOSE TO PLANNING STAFF PRIOR TO THE VARIANCE REQUEST.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS. >> JUST ONE QUESTION BASED OFF OF WHAT AMBER SAID. ASSUMING ANY REDEVELOPMENT, THE SUBJECT GOES AWAY? SO YOU COULD BUILD THERE,

CORRECT? >> POTENTIALLY.

WE ARE LOOKING AT OPTIONS. WE HAVE NOT NAILED THAT DOWN COMPLETELY. THERE IS GRAVITY SANITARY AVAILABLE TO THE EAST. WE WOULD HAVE TO OBTAIN AN

[00:15:09]

THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN'T JUST GO OVER AND CONNECT TO.

IF WE GO TO THE WEST TOWARDS AUBURN DRIVE WE WOULD HAVE TO INSTALL A GRINDER PUMP AND A FORCE MADE TO GO TO THE MANHOLE SANITARY SEWER. WE EXPLORE THOSE OPTIONS BUT WE ARE CURRENTLY STILL EXPLORING THEM.

>> SO ONE OF THOSE WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE?

>> MM-HMM. >> OF SEPTICLINES WOULD GO

AWAY? >> YEAH.

AND IF THEY DO, THAT WILL GIVE US A LITTLE MORE USABLE AREA.

UT AGAIN, YOU ARE PROVIDING A USABLE AREA THAT IS LONG AND NARROW.T'S MORE OF THAT MOBILE HOME STYLE , AS OPPOSED TO SOMETHING --.> A RANCH STYLE?

>> RIGHT. >> DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> ARE RIGHT.

I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. F ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OR AGAINST THIS VARIANCE, IF YOU WOULD COME UP AND PLEASE SIGN IN AND THEN YOU CAN SPEAK.

(INDISCERNIBLE) 507, THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR, THAT'S THE ONE FOR

SALE THAT WAS RECENTLY BUILT? >> CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS SCOTT AYERS. I LIVE IN 515 AUBURN DRIVE WITH MY WIFE. IN ONE OF THE PICTORIALS THAT WAS SHOWED SHOWS THAT WE ARE ADJACENT TO THE PROPERTY THAT IS BEING PROPOSED FOR THE VARIANCE SETBACKS.

BY THE WAY, I DON'T UNDERSTAND SETBACKS.

I KNOW WHAT THE TERM VARIANCE MEANS AND ALL THIS OTHER STUFF.

BUT A LOT OF IT I'M NOT SURE ABOUT.

BUT I DO KNOW WE HAVE BEEN THERE FOR FOUR YEARS.

WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE -- KNOCK ON WOOD, IT HAS BEEN A LONG TERM RENTAL PROPERTY. WE NOW HAVE A YOUNG MAN WHO WAS A SOPHOMORE IN COLLEGE. HE'S A GREAT KID.

HE DOESN'T TAKE CARE OF THE PROPERTY.

THAT IS ALWAYS BEEN A CONCERN FOR US.

WE HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THE SURROUNDING HOMES.

AND NOW WE HAVE A COUPLE THAT IS AT 501 THAT IS WILLING TO TAKE IT, RENOVATED, HELP THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. A LITTLE BIT BETTER, IF YOU WILL. SO WE ARE IN FAVOR OF IT.

WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THE WALLER'S ARE WILLING TO DO IT.

IT'S NOT A SMALL INVESTMENT THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO MAKE.

BUT OVERALL, FOR THAT PART OF AUBURN AND DOWNTOWN, IT WOULD DEFINITELY BE ANIMPROVEMENT. WE ARE IN FAVOR OF IT.

I'M NOT SURE IF ANYBODY ELSE IS GOING TO SPEAK , BUT THREE OF THE FOUR PROPERTY OWNERS THAT ARE ADJACENT TO THAT PROPERTY PROBABLY HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN MAKING SURE IT'S SUCCESSFUL.

SO WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF THAT AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU, SCOTT.

>> HELLO. BENJAMIN BOYD.

WE LIVE AT THE PROPERTY ADJACENT AT 507.

THE HOUSE IS CURRENTLY FOR SALE.

THE EXISTING HOME IS OCCUPIED BY A GREAT GUY.E LIKE HIM A LOT. AND YOU SAW FROM THE PICTURES, HE DOES NOT MAINTAIN IT. I'M IN THE PAST CONTROL INDUSTRY. I'M CONCERNED WITH RODENT ISSUES AND OTHER PESTS BECOMING A PROBLEM.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SELL THE HOUSE FOR LITTLE WHILE.

ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN PURCHASING IT ARE WE JUST DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT PLACE NEXT DOOR. WE ARE IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THEM. WE DO WANT TO SUPPORT THE CHANGE OF VARIANCE. AND I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL. THE CURRENT HOUSE IS JUST NOT TO THE STANDARDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S JUST NOT. LEAVING IT AS IT IS?

[00:20:01]

SOMETHING'S GOT TO CHANGE. >> THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN IT UP TO THE BOARD FOR DISCUSSION AND OR MOTION.

>> SO IT'S NONCONFORMING. SO WHAT CAN THEY DO -- CAN THEY ADD-ON? OR CAN THEY JUST REDO WHAT'S

INSIDE?>> ARTICLE 7 OF THE ZONING OR IN AND SAID DOES ALLOW REPAIRS, MODIFICATIONS AND INTERIOR ALTERATIONS TO EXISTINGNONCONFORMING STRUCTURES UP TO 50 PERCENT OF THE PROPERTY'S FAIR MARKET VALUE.

>> OKAY. SO THEY CANNOT INCREASE THE

FOOTPRINT ? >> CORRECT.> OKAY.

BUT THEY CAN BUILD ABOUT 1900, ONE-STORY SQUARE-FOOT HOUSE?

>> IT WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE ONE STORIES.

IT COULD BE TWO STORIES. >> I'M JUST SAYING THE FOOTPRINT. AND THEN THEY CAN GO WHAT UP

WHATEVER THE HEIGHT ALLOWS? >> AND WHEN THE SUBJECT MOVES,

IT COULD BE EVEN BIGGER. >> THAT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY

2700 SQUARE FEET. >> YOU SAID NO TO THE 1900 --?

>> IT'S JUST AN ODD SHAPE, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN, ODD SHAPE? >> RECTANGLE.

>> LIKE A RANCH? >> (INDISCERNIBLE) MOST APARTMENTS ARE 35 FOOT DEEP. THIS IS 30.

IT'S REALLY NOT FUNCTIONAL TO GET ANYTHING IN IT.

>> I UNDERSTAND (INDISCERNIBLE).

Y'ALL MADE THE ARGUMENT BRETT OR WES -- WHAT IT ACTUALLY FRONTS. WHETHER IT FRONTS AUBURN DRIVE OR NOT. BUT I ASSUME HOW YOU WOULD BUILD IT, IT WOULD FRONT THIS PRIVATE DRIVE, CORRECT?

>> I THINK THERE ARE OPTIONS TO LOOK AT IT EITHER WAY.

SO IT COULD BE BUILT TO FRONT AUBURN DRIVE.

AGAIN, THE POTENTIAL BUYER OWNS THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO (INDISCERNIBLE). I THINK IF YOU HAVE A 30 FOOT SETBACK ON THAT SIDE, YOU COULD PUT THE DRIVEWAY -- TURN OFF THE GRAVEL DRIVE AND STILL FRONT THE HOUSE TO THE WEST.

THAT'S AN OPTION. >> CAN YOU PULL UP THE AERIAL OF THAT? I'M NOT SEEING HOW THAT --?

>> IT WOULD LOOK WEIRD. YOU WOULD BE FRONTING THE BACK

OF THE HOUSE. >> WHAT'S THE HOUSE ADDRESS?

>> IT'S AUBURN DRIVE. >> IN THIS CASE, IT'S UNIQUE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FRONT ON PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY.

SO FOR ADDRESSING AND PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT IS WHY IT'S ON AUBURN DRIVE. IT WOULDN'T BE ADDRESSED OFF A

NAME PRIVATE DRIVE. >> (LAUGHING) GRAVEL ROAD?

>> YEP. >> THIS ONE IS TRICKY.

WHAT'S THERE NOW DEFINITELY NEEDS TO GO AWAY! OR TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED.

>> CAN YOU GIVE US A FEW STREET PICTURES OF WHAT'S THERE RIGHT NOW. DO YOU HAVE THE 507? IS THERE A PICTURE THAT SHOWS WHERE IT IS?

OR THAT BUILDINGS FOOTPRINT? >> IT'S ON SLIDE EIGHT OF THAT

PRESENTATION. >> HOW FAR IS THAT AWAY FROM --? SO THAT -- THAT'S CURRENT?

[00:25:01]

OKAY. >> MAY I GET UP AND SPEAK ONE

MORE TIME? >> YEAH, JUST ONE SECOND.

I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THESE HOUSES.

BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT 501, IT FRONTS AUBURN DRIVE.

BUT -- I SEE THE ARGUMENT. IF YOU FLIP THE SETBACKS, THEN IT IS VERY CLOSE. IF IT HAD THE REAR AND FRONT SETBACKS. BUT THEN, YOU GO TO 507 -- ON 507, THAT'S A 35 FOOT SETBACK BEHIND IT? OR WHAT STREET -- DOES IT FRONT THE SAME PRIVATE DRIVE? CAN YOU PULL IT UP AND SEE IF IT HAS A VARIANCE?

>> IT DOESN'T MEET THE SETBACKS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FOR

THE SUBJECT LOT. >> I'M JUST GOING OFF OF AN

AERIAL. >> SENT MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PROPERTY HASN'T CHANGED HANDS YET? THAT SOMEBODY IS WILLING TO PURCHASE OR THERE IS AN OFFER

TO PURCHASE? >> YEAH.

501, THE OWNER OF THAT BUT IT'S IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

THE GUIDE TO THE LEFT -- THIS GUY IS WANTING TO BUY THIS.

>> YES, OKAY. >> BUILD IT AND SELL IT.

OR KEEP IT. AND THEN, 507 WAS BUILT IN THE LAST YEAR. OR TWO YEARS -- WHEN DID YOU

ALL BUILD THAT? >> 2019.

WE MOVED IN EARLY 2020. >> 509 WAS JUST BUILT A MONTH

AGO. >> OKAY.

I REMEMBER SEEING THAT ONE. YES, SIR.

>> NO VARIANCE WAS APPLIED FOR. >> CAN YOU GO BACK TO THAT AREA ONE MORE TIME, PLEASE? I THINK -- AT FIRST I WASN'T ON BOARD WITH THIS, BUT I THINK WHAT THEY ARE DOING, THOSE ARE ALL REDONE HOUSES. IT FRONTS THE PRIVATE DRIVE.

BUT YOU HAVE 501 THAT FRONTS OVER THERE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SUPER OUT OF PLACE.

AND Y'ALL DID SAY IT WAS UNIQUE WITH HOW IT DOES FRONT THIS PRIVATE DRIVE. IT'S A MUCH SMALLER LOT.

>> YOU BUILD A SMALLER HOUSE. >> YEAH.

AND 507'S FRONT DOOR IS NEAR WHERE THAT ARROW IS POINTING?

>> THERE IS ALSO A DOOR (INDISCERNIBLE).

>> OKAY. GO BACK TO THAT AREA ONE MORE

TIME. >> ALL MENTIONED THAT THE

[00:30:21]

SO THIS ISNKIND OF LEERY GIVING VARIANCES WHEN WE AREN'T EVEN

SURE IT'S NEEDED YET. >> IT MIGHT NOT BE MY PLACE TO SAY THIS, THE CONTRACT THEY HAD WITH THE CURRENT OWNER (INDISCERNIBLE). THAT COULD BE WHAT THEY MEAN

ABOUT OPTIONS. >> YOU CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, BUT IF YOU WANT TO OPEN IT BACK UP?

>> YEAH. IF YOU WANT TO COME AND SPEAK.

>> I'M ANGELA BOYD, 507 AUBURN DRIVE.

WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE SPOKE ABOUT WHICH IS THE SEPTIC AND SEWAGE. THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH IT.

AS YOU SEE WITH THE AERIAL VIEW AND YOU ARE SHOWING HOW -- THERE'S A BERM HOW IT COMES DOWN.

AN HOUR LOT TEARED DOWN.HEN WE WENT UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND BUILT AND CUT INTO SOME PROPERTY -- WE DIDN'T REALLY CUT IN. JUST HAVING THAT OPEN LOT AND CLEARING WHAT WE DID FOR OUR HOME? THERE WAS ISSUES WITH THE SUBJECT.HAT'S A BRAND-NEW SEPTIC SYSTEM THAT THE OWNER PUT IN.

IT WAS THE LEAST EXPENSIVE THING THEY COULD DO.

THAT'S WHY THEY DID IT. THE REASON THEY DID THAT IS BECAUSE WE COMPLAINED EVERY CHANCE WE GOT TO THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY. BECAUSE SEWAGE WAS SEEPING OUT OF THAT HILL INTO OUR PROPERTY. SO THAT'S WHY THEY PUT A BRAND-NEW SEPTIC SYSTEM IN. WE SPOKE TO THE OWNERS THAT CURRENTLY OWN THE HOUSE ABOUT AN EASEMENT THAT THEY CAN OBTAIN FROM US SO THEY CAN TIE INTO THE SEWAGE THAT WE TIED INTO WHEN WE BUILT OUR HOME. BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE PART OF OUR PROPERTY TO TIE INTO THE SAME LINE TO GO ACROSS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY TO THE CITY SEWAGE.

WHICH IS RIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CREEK IS WHERE THAT SEWERAGE LINE IS. ACCORDING TO MS. BETSY, SHE HAS OTHER OPTIONS AS WELL. BUT WE DID TELL HER, JUST AS WE TOLD THE OTHER OWNER, THAT WE WOULD BE OPEN TO THAT.

BECAUSE OF THE BAD SITUATION OF THE SUBJECT.

IT WON'T WORK FOREVER. ON DAYS WHERE WE HAVE CONTINUOUS RAIN, YOU DO STILL SMELL SOME THINGS WHEN YOU ARE OUTSIDE EVEN THOUGH IT HAS A BRAND-NEW SYSTEM.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY WE ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THIS FOR THEM TO TAKE THE PROPERTY AND IMPROVE IT AND GET IT TO THE STANDARDS IT NEEDS TO BE SO WE DON'T SMELL SEWAGE.

OURS GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN THE HILL AND ACROSS THE CREEK.

>> THAT WAS NO SMALL EXPENSE TO, I'M SURE.

>> NO. >> THIS IS A CONTINGENT OFFER TO PURCHASE WHEN THEY FIND OUT HOW MUCH IT COST? YOUR HOUSES FOR SALE -- AND WILLING TO OFFER AN EASEMENT?

>> WE ARE. BUT NOTHINGS HAPPENING YET.

WE COULD STILL BE THERE NEXT YEAR.

AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING TO CONSIDER.

MY HUSBAND AND I CONSIDERED WE WILL NOT KEEP OUR HOUSE UP FOR SALE AFTER OUR SIX MONTH CONTRACT IS UP.

WE BUILT THE HOUSE TO BE THERE UNTIL THEY KICK US OUT.

BUT WE WILL HAVE TO ENDURE THE CONSTRUCTION.

>> YOU HAVE THE MOST DISRUPTION WITH THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY. BUT BECAUSE OF THE STATE OF THE HOUSE THAT IS CURRENTLY THERE, WE WOULD ENDURE.

BECAUSE IT WOULD DEFINITELY HELP OUR PROPERTY VALUE AND THE HOUSES AROUND US. THE OTHER THING AND I THINK I HEARD THAT THEY MIGHT BUILD TO SELL? TO MY KNOWLEDGE, AND I T BELIEVE THEY ARE BUILDING IT TO SELL. THIS IS FOR WHEN THEY ARE IN AUBURN. WHEN THEY HAVE ADDITIONAL

[00:35:01]

WANT TO TURN AROUND AND SELL. >> WHO IS MS. BETSY?

IS THIS THE PROPERTY OWNER?>> NO.

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO OWN 501. >> I THINK THEY ARE THE

WALLER'S? >> THE WALLER'S.

THE CURRENT OWNERS. >> YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT MS.

BETSY? >> THAT'S ONE WHO WANTS TO BUY IT.HE'S THE ONE WHO OWNS 501.

>> IS THERE A WAY THAT THEY COULD BRING US BACK A PLAN THAT WOULD FIT ON THIS? INSTEAD OF A SQUARE OUTLINE?

>> YEAH, WE CAN. >> I DON'T WANT TO HOLD UP THE PROCESS, BUT -- I FEEL LIKE THIS WOULD BE -- WE WOULD MAKE

THE VARIANCE SUBJECT TO -- >> NORMALLY WHEN WE DO THIS THEY DO BRING IN A PLAN AND A FOOTPRINT AND SHOW US WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT DOING. AS OPPOSED TO WELL, WE MAY HAVE TO DO THIS OR WE MAY HAVE TO DO THAT.

>> YEAH. >> THERE ARE GOOD ARGUMENTS FOR THIS ONE. PROBABLY MORE EXPLORATORY.

WE WANT TO SEE MORE, BUT I UNDERSTAND NOT WANTING TO SPEND HOWEVER MUCH YOU HAVE TO SPEND TO GET THE PLANS AND ALL OF THAT. I WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME TABLING IT AND ASKING THEM TO DO THAT IF WE HAVE SOME SEVERAL MEMBERS WHO AREN'T SUPER ENTHUSED ABOUT IT.

AND I DON'T KNOW HOW EVERYONE IS FEELING ABOUT IT.

>> I TEND TO SIDE WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE IMPROVEMENTS. I WOULD BE WILLING TO APPROVE THE VARIANCE. BUT I MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE

(LAUGHING). >> CAN I MAKE ONE COMMENT?

>> YES SIR. >> WE LIVE AT 509.

WE RETIRED HERE. AND VERY HAPPY TO BE IN AUBURN.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS READING WAS THESE VARIANCES, I THOUGHT, OR ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE VARIANCES ARE TO PROTECT NEIGHBORS? PEOPLE WHO WERE LIVING NEXT DOOR. WHICH IS GREAT AND I LIKE THAT.

ALL OF US ARE ADJACENT. WE HAVE BECOME REAL GOOD FRIENDS WITH THE WALLER'S. WE THINK THE WORLD OF THEM.

AND WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO IS GOING TO HELP ME AND CAROL AND SCOTT AND MICHELLE. WE ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT THIS.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE SITTING HERE TONIGHT.

AND I'M JUST AN OLD DUMB SOUTH GEORGIA BOY.

[LAUGHTER] BUT THAT OUGHT TO BE WORTH SOMETHING. I REALIZE YOU HAVE TO HAVE RULES AND VARIANCES. BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO USE A

LITTLE BIT OF COMMON SENSE. >> WELL, I DID LOOK OUT AND SEE YOU ALL. AND NORMALLY WE DON'T HAVE THIS MUCH IN SUPPORT (LAUGHING).

[LAUGHTER] I ASSUMED IT WAS SIX OR EIGHT

ANGRY NEIGHBORS. >> I KNOW WHEN THEY TOOK THE

SEPTIC TANK OUT THE SUMMER, (INDISCERNIBLE).>> THE PROPERTY TO THE NORTH, WE HAVEN'T REALLY TALKED ABOUT THAT. BEHIND THAT THERE ARE

TOWNHOUSES? >> IT'S AN APARTMENT COMPLEX TOOK BACK THERE. IT'S ODD.

I GUESS A QUESTION -- JOHN, YOU MAY KNOW ABOUT THIS -- 30 FEET

-- IS THAT JUST SUPER NARROW? >> YOU KNOW -- IS ITSUPER NARROW IN NEW ORLEANS? I DON'T THINK SO.

IS IT SUPER NARROW IN SAVANNAH OR CHARLESTON OR THESE OTHER PLACES ? TO ALL THESE 60S AND 70S RANCH

STYLE HOUSES? >> I GUESS THAT'S THE QUESTION -- HOW DEEP ARE THOSE RANCH HOUSES?

[00:40:04]

>> I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER THE SPAN OF A FLOOR TRUST BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S 35 FEET. I THOUGHT IT WAS 34 AND APARTMENT COMPLEX. I'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND RESEARCH THAT. BUT THAT'S BASICALLY WHY

APARTMENTS ARE CERTAIN DEPTHS. >> THE FRONT OF THE CURRENT

HOUSE IS (INDISCERNIBLE). >> IT'S NOT CONFORMING.

IT (INDISCERNIBLE). >> Y'ALL BASICALLY ARE ASKING FOR AN EXTRA .2 FEET? I MIGHT BE SPEAKING OUT OF LINE FOR THE BOARD, BUT DO YOU THINK THERE IS SOMETHING IN BETWEEN

THAT THEY COULD LIVE WITH? >> I THINK SO.

WE WERE JUST TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE OTHER SETBACKS --.

>> MY QUESTION IS, WHERE DO THESE NUMBERS COME FROM?

THE EXISTING? >> WE SLID IT UP AGAINST THEIR HOUSE AWAY FROM THE BOYS HOUSE, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>> BECAUSE OF THAT SEPTIC? >> YES.HERE IS NOTHING MAGICAL ABOUT DISCO PROBABLY MORE OF THE DEPTH THAN ANYTHING. RIGHT NOW, THE WAY THAT 30 FOOT ON THE EXISTING THAT YOU CAN BUILD IS LENGTHWISE.F IT WAS ROTATED 180 DEGREES, I AGREE WITH JOHN.

I MEAN, 90 DEGREES. I'M SORRY.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? IT WOULD BE MORE LIKE A ROWHOUSE. (INDISCERNIBLE) TO MAKE IT FUNCTIONAL. BECAUSE YOU STILL HAVE TO HAVE

A FRONT DOOR ON THE SOUTH SIDE. >> WHAT DO YOU THINK A

REASONABLE --? >> YOU COULD PUT A GARAGE ON ONE SIDE. YOU COULD PUT A MASTER IN THE LIVING AND KITCHEN IN THE MIDDLE AND GO UPSTAIRS WITH TWO

OR THREE BEDROOMS. >> THAT MIGHT BE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO. WITHOUT HAVING A PLAN, WE DON'T

KNOW. >> RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE 30 FEET AND YOU ARE TRYING TO GO TO 52 FEET.

>> 50 FEET. I GUESS YOU'RE CONCERNED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 1920 500 (INDISCERNIBLE) WHAT WAS THE

NUMBER YOU SAID? >> 2700.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WOULD --.

>> A RANDOM FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, AMBER.

IT'S GOING TO BE WEIRD, BUT IF THEY ARE BUILDING IT FOR THEMSELVES TO HAVE AN EXTRA PLACE FOR PEOPLE THERE, IF THEY BOUGHT THIS AND ADDED IT TO THEIR LOT AND CUT THAT LINE OUT AND BUILT IT AS A DETACHED GUEST HOUSE, IS THAT ALLOWED?

>> I DO BELIEVE THAT --. >> I KNOW THAT'S CHANGED RECENTLY.

GUESTHOUSE. >> UP TO 50 PERCENT?

>> IT CAN'T BE MADE FOR INCOME PURPOSES.

UP TO A THOUSAND. >> UP TO A THOUSAND SQUARE FEET? OKAY.

SO THAT WOULD CAP IT THERE. >> IT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE

RENTED OUT THOUGH. >> YEAH.

>> OR SOLD LATER WITHOUT SELLING THE ENTIRE PLACE.

>> YEAH. I WAS JUST WONDERING.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT FOOTPRINT WE CAN GET ON THEIR GET AN ARCHITECT (INDISCERNIBLE).

THE PROBLEM IS THE CURRENT SETBACK -- THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN FIND (INDISCERNIBLE) GIVEN THE CURRENT SETBACKS. IT'S ESSENTIALLY A LONG RECTANGLE. IF THE CONCERN IS THE 2700 SQUARE FEET, I WOULD SAY REDUCE IT DOWN TO WHAT YOU THINK WE CAN AND WE CAN TRY TO GET SOMETHING TO WORK.

THERE'S NOT A MAGICAL FOOTPRINT.

THE FOOTPRINT WE HAVE MATCHES THE OFF-THE-SHELF PLAN THAT WE SHOWED. THE RANCH WITH A WRAPAROUND

[00:45:01]

SIMILAR TO THAT. >> ARE YOU ALL MORE ON BOARD

WITH THE CUT ON VARIANCE? >> YEAH.

I'M INCLINED TO AGREE WITH SOME CONDITIONS ON IT.

>> WHAT SOMETHING MORE TYPICAL OF SETBACKS IN THE NEWER NEIGHBORHOODS?> THE NEWER NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE SIMILAR FRONT AND REAR, RIGHT?

>> NO, THEY ARE LESS. THE SIDE IS CUT DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY. THOSE DROP DOWN TO FIVE.

BUT THE REARS ARE 20-25? >> IN A SUBDIVISION IT'S 20 FRONT, 20 REAR AND FIVE ON THE SIDES.

>> I WOULD BE INCLINED TO LEAVE THEIR REQUESTS FOR THE FRONT AND CUT THE REAR DOWN TO -- INSTEAD OF 16 FEET, 10 OR EIGHT

FEET OR SOMETHING. >> I DO, AT THE MOST, FIVE AND

FIVE. >> THEY'VE DONE -- THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT AREA.

AND I DO LIKE IT.OBVIOUSLY, THE NEIGHBORS HAVE A SEPTIC SITUATION. THAT'S VERY WEIRD TO HAVE.

>> I UNDERSTAND. >> WHAT ABOUT THAT FRONT -- CUT THE FRONT 25, AND CUT THE REAR IN HALF FROM 16 TO 8?

>> YEAH. AND THAT GIVES THEM SOME PARAMETERS TO WORK WITH. SUPPORT THAT.

ALSO, KNOWING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO TEAR DOWN THE STRUCTURE OR IMPROVE IT, THAT SEPTIC WILL GO AWAY.

WHICH GIVES THEM A LOT MORE BUILDABLE SPACE.

>> AND THE SIDES ARE DEFINITELY STAYING WHERE THEY ARE.

WE WON'T INCREASE THE SIDES. >> YEAH.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FIRST REQUEST VARIANCE OF FIVE FEET TO THE MINIMUM FRONT SETBACK OF 30 FEET.

TO ALLOW A FRONT SETBACK OF 20 FEET.

SO MODIFYING IT FROM THEIR REQUESTS OF 6 TO 5.

>> SECOND.

THE SECOND REQUEST TO ALLOW A REAR SETBACK OF 27 FEET MODIFIED FROM THEIR REQUEST OF 16 TO EIGHT.

>> SECOND.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BACK THERE!

[OTHER BUSINESS]

ON TO OTHER BUSINESS. APPROVE THE 2022 MEETING AND DEADLINE CALENDAR. WE JUST MAKE A MOTION TO

APPROVE AS PRESENTED? >> SURE.

>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING AND DEADLINE CALENDAR IN OUR PACKET AS PRESENTED.

>> SECOND. >> I KNOW WE CAN CHANGES LATER, BUT I JUST NOTICED THAT WE HAVE A MEETING ON JULY 6. DO WE JUST MODIFY THAT LATER?

MODIFICATION NOW. >> OR JUST LEAVE IT AS IS FOR

NOW? >> OR YOU CAN CHANGE IT NOW.

>> THAT'S FINE. ALL RIGHT.

JOHN, DID YOU SECOND? >> I DID.

[00:50:14]

>> I'VE OTHER BUSINESS, THANK YOU.

ALSO, LAST MONTH, WE PASSED OUT SOME TRAINING CERTIFICATES.

ANYWAY, FOR THIS MONTH, WE DO HAVE ONE FOR KIM WHITE.

AND SO, YOU DID GET A CERTIFICATE FOR A RECENT COURSE HE TOOK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA FOR BASIC ZONING AND (INDISCERNIBLE) REGULATIONS. SO WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE FOR

YOU. >> OH, THANK YOU!

>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> ALL RIGHT.

I THINK THAT'S IT. I WILL CLOSE THE MEETING.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.