Chairman Mike Brownfield called a regular meeting of the City of Washington Zoning Board of Appeals to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Library meeting room.

Answering present for Roll Call were Board members Lori Weston, Doug Weston, Dick Rich, Louis Milot and Mike Brownfield. Members Steve Scott and Mike Burdette were absent.

Also present was Building & Zoning Supervisor Becky Holmes, City Clerk/Recording Secretary Pat Brown, and petitioner Brian Nichols.

Ms. Weston moved and Mr. Rich seconded to approve the minutes of the August 25, 2010 ZBA meeting as presented. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Case No. 122210-V-1 - A public hearing was opened for comment on the request of Brian and Jodi Nichols, 1001 Eldridge Street, for a 4' distance between structure variance to allow construction of a detached garage. Publication was made of the public hearing notice, and there were no "interested parties" registered.

B & Z Supervisor Holmes gave a brief overview of the variance request.

Petitioner comments: None.

Audience comments: None.

Board comments: Mr. Milot asked if the replacement garage was the one closest to the house and Mr. Nichols replied, yes.

The public hearing was closed at 6:33 p.m.

Mr. Weston moved and Ms. Weston seconded to approve the variance as presented.

Findings of Fact - application was made by owners of property; fees were paid; property is zoned R-1; variance request to allow the reconstruction of a detached garage to be 6' from the principle structure, the required distance is 10' between structures, The original detached garage was destroyed by fire. A public hearing was held on Wednesday, December 22, 2010, all present were given the opportunity to be heard; there were no 'interested parties'; there were no objections to the granting of the variance; property cannot yield reasonable return because the property was purchased with a detached garage; plight of the owner is due to unique circumstances because the lot is narrow; character of the neighborhood will not be changed because there are existing structures in the area that are closer to their principle structures than the required 10'; and Section 154.222(B) of the Zoning Code allows the ZBA to permit the reconstruction of a nonconforming building which has been destroyed or damaged to an extent of more than fifty percent of its value by fire.

There was no additional discussion and on roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 5 Brownfield, Milot, Rich, L. Weston, D. Weston 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

At 6:34 p.m. Ms. Weston moved and Mr. Weston seconded to adjourn. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

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