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 Mike Burdette, Louis Milot, Dick Rich, Steve Scott, Doug Weston, Lori Weston, and Mike Brownfield.

Also present was Building & Zoning Supervisor Becky Holmes, City Clerk/Recording Secretary Pat Brown, and petitioners Ronald & Linda Poehlman and Robert Wiese. Marilyn Merkel - Owner of the property next door.

Mr. Burdette moved and Ms. Weston seconded to approve the minutes of the July 28, 2010 ZBA meeting as presented. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Case No. 82510-V-1 - A public hearing was opened for comment on the request of Ronald & Linda Poehlman, 404 S. Main Street, for a 7' distance between structure variance to allow construction of a storage shed. 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: Mr. Poehlman commented that he wanted to leave a smaller area between the garage and shed, and that a concrete slab will be up to the foundation of the garage.

Audience comments: Marilyn Merkle, property owner next door indicated that she is in favor of the variance request.

Board comments: Mr. Scott asked if the concrete slab was already in place and Mr. Poehlman replied, yes.

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

Ms. Weston moved and Mr. Rich 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 a proposed storage shed to be 3' from the existing garage, the required distance is 10' between structures, a 7' variance is requested. A public hearing was held on Wednesday, August 25, 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 storage shed will help in keeping the property clean; plight of the owner is due to unique circumstances because the lot is narrow and deep; character of the neighborhood will not be changed because the shed will be placed behind the garage.

There was no additional discussion and on roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Burdette, Brownfield, Milot, Scott, D. Weston, Rich, L. Weston 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

Case No. 82510-V-2 - A public hearing was opened for comment on the request of Richard Wiese, 504 W. Jefferson Street, for a 4' distance between structure variance to allow the 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: Mr. Wiese indicated that the slope of the yard is the reason why the garage need to be positioned in this location and if it is moved back any further the slope of the driveway would go directly into the garage. He also noted that the 6' distance between structures that he is requesting is from the corner of the house and garage and not from wall to wall.

Audience comments: No comments.

Board comments: Mr. Weston asked if there is a fence on the property to the west and Mr. Wiese replied, yes. Mr. Burdette asked if the front of the garage is in line with the back of the garage and Mr. Wiese replied, yes. Mr. Milot asked about the sloping of the property and Mr. Wiese stated that he would have issues if he moves it at all and that the driveway would slope into the garage causing drainage to go directly into the garage.

The public hearing was closed at 6:38 p.m.

Ms. Weston moved and Mr. Milot 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 a proposed detached garage to be 6' from the principle structure. A public hearing was held on Wednesday, August 25, 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 most houses in the neighborhood have garages; plight of the owner is due to unique circumstances because the ground area is very sloped; character of the neighborhood will not be changed because it is not closer than the principal structure.

There was no additional discussion and on roll call the vote was: 
Ayes: 7 Rich, Scott, D. Weston, Burdette, Brownfield, Milot, L. Weston 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

At 6:42 p.m. Mr. Weston moved and Mr. Scott seconded to adjourn. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

**************************************************