[0:03] Okay, we are now recording and this is the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on

[0:07] August 24th, 2026 at 6 p.m. >> And if I could get a motion to approve

[0:16] the minutes that I sent last week from July 27th, 2026.

[0:22] » So moved. >> Second. It's been moved and properly

[0:26] second that the minutes from the last meeting will be accepted and approved.

[0:34] » All in favor? All in favor? >> I

[0:37] » I >> thank you. [clears throat]

[0:40] » No nays. All carried. Motion is carried.

[0:45] [clears throat] Mr.

[0:46] » No. >> Ladies and gentlemen, we are here

[0:47] tonight to hear a variance request. Uh the request has come in from a Bobby

[0:52] Carpenter who is in attendance and toward back.

[0:57] » Mr. Carpenter has a contract to purchase uh contingent on zoning and and

[1:03] contingent on him being able to do what he would like to do with the property.

[1:06] Property is being sold. Um I think is it still in the name of Rosa J?

[1:12] » Jimmy >> Jimmy

[1:15] um I think we've heard a case similar to this probably two or three months ago.

[1:19] Somebody wanted to use the lot. It is a 40 foot wide lot,

[1:24] 70 foot deep. By deed, and I've included the deed description on the back of your

[1:29] council packet or your uh board packet. >> Yeah,

[1:33] » it's a 40 by 70 lot. Small, it's it is what it is. Um

[1:40] because it is a non-conforming or grandfathered lot, we're not here to

[1:43] talk about how small it is. The question is how big are the setbacks,

[1:48] » right? Okay, that's the question that's being requested tonight. Uh, typical

[1:53] setbacks in that zoning district would be 12 feet. If you remember, it used to

[1:58] be 15%. We were finding on these very small lots. I'm talking about six foot

[2:02] setbacks and that wasn't enough. So, the rules were changed two years ago uh to

[2:08] either be 15% or 12 feet, whichever is greater.

[2:12] » Correct. >> Okay. So the 12 ft is the greater than

[2:17] the 15% and uh Mr. carpenter uh floor plan which is also included uh is a 20

[2:25] by 20. Did I get that right? 20 by 20 and uh being 40t wide.

[2:33] 20 ft of that would be in house that would be 10 feet on each side with a 12t

[2:36] required minimum setback in the request is a variance from two

[2:41] » about two feet per side. >> Right.

[2:44] » And that's me. That's what we're here for. And um yeah,

[2:48] » a 16 ft house would be permissible, but there's not a lot of models of 16 ft

[2:51] wide. This is a 20 foot wide model and I'll leave it to the PCA and as you know

[2:58] there joint some joint property owners here and we have people representing the

[3:01] property. >> Okay. Okay.

[3:06] I hereby open the zone of appears meeting for anyone for public hearing.

[3:13] Are there anyone present to speak for this proposal and property?

[3:21] » Mr. carpenter.

[3:25] » Once again, how everybody doing

[3:31] always just wanted to put a small house for basic seen since 44.

[3:38] That's my goal. Something that anybody can afford. Not to use, nothing big.

[3:43] Sort of like everybody in the neighborhood. It's one level, easy to

[3:47] get in and out. Plus, I enjoy doing it. And I use, you know, basically my own

[3:53] apartment. I found this nice property. I thought maybe this be nice for somebody

[3:57] neighborhood. They want brand new home, clean, nice neighborhood already.

[4:03] » You know, not crazy. One level similar to what they got, just small.

[4:09] » And this is what And this is in y'all's plan right here.

[4:13] » Okay. >> Basically, I just couldn't find them. No

[4:16] [clears throat] small. You still want to get around kitchen. didn't want to make

[4:19] the move. >> My goal was to make like wire the doors

[4:24] so you can get in case you >> wheelchair

[4:29] wire the bathroom doors. The thing the doors would just be

[4:32] a little w and uh the driveway be set back where you can walk without walking

[4:36] a whole lot to get to the house cuz my mom had that problem as she got old. We

[4:42] had to find somewhere for her to go without struggle. That's all I was

[4:46] trying to do, you know, nothing. I put up a fence in the back and see where

[4:51] they have fence. This one, let's give everybody a new fence. If they like, you

[4:56] know, that's reason privacy also cuz everybody like their

[5:00] own privacy, nice club, just things like that that I want to do basically

[5:06] little by little myself cuz I enjoy doing it once again and I learned it

[5:10] from my father and he learned from his father. So that's all I'm asking. It's

[5:15] only two feet this way, but front is where I [snorts] really probably going

[5:19] to be set back. I think we talked about that.

[5:22] » Mhm. I I'll address it here in just a minute because there really are two

[5:25] requests tonight on the setbacks >> and I didn't do a very good job

[5:29] presenting it. We had the side setbacks of two feet

[5:32] » and I don't know if we necessarily have an issue in the front.

[5:36] » 35 down to 30. It's supposed to be 35, but you're allowed [snorts] to build

[5:41] build in the in line with an adjacent home. So, Miss Williams's house

[5:47] » where your line your house comes out towards Freeman, he would logically be

[5:51] allowed to build [clears throat] in line with that. And I don't know what exactly

[5:54] what that measurement is, but for lack of knowing exactly what that measurement

[5:59] is, I advertise it. So, there is a two-prong variance. It may not be

[6:04] necessary because if it stays in line with the front of his proposed house

[6:08] were to stay in line when the sideline of your house on a Freeman Street side,

[6:12] he would be within the guidelines of the the zoning

[6:16] warrants. I don't know if how far exactly yours is back. [snorts] So,

[6:21] because I didn't know I did advertise, okay, but it may not be necessary, but I

[6:26] it is advertised as a as a setback variance in the front as well. So, do we

[6:31] need to address both variance? >> I think you need to do them

[6:34] individually. Yes, ma'am. >> Well, that turn sideway.

[6:38] » It's in a different orientation. Miss Williams is on face of second street.

[6:41] The property that you have the front is on street.

[6:44] » Usually, you line that house up with the end of that to keep the look.

[6:47] » And you are allowed to do that in Blackstone if it's within 50 ft of the

[6:51] property line that you can >> Yeah, you can line up with her side. So

[6:58] it keeps the houses looking like >> they all came out.

[7:02] » You try to set it. >> Give him that 16 foot frontage.

[7:06] » So assuming that it doesn't line up with the adjacent

[7:12] property. He's got a 70 foot deep lot. >> Mhm.

[7:15] » He's got 20 foot in house supposed to have 25 in the back. 55 he would only

[7:21] logically have 15 ft in the front. So I advertise a front setback variance. So

[7:29] to maintain 25, 20 ft for the house is 45. That would leave you what? 25 ft

[7:36] instead of 35. But if once

[7:42] a decision is made to move forward or granted or not granted, then we could go

[7:46] in there and and line up to see how much if any front setback variance would be

[7:51] required. But I don't have [snorts] >> Is this your first project like this?

[7:56] » No.

[7:59] » Sizewise. >> Sizewise.

[8:02] » No, usually do uh 24 by 24. >> Okay.

[8:05] » It's as small as I can get. Uh 20x4 [snorts]

[8:09] by 24 usually give you a washer and dryer. Here you really got a space for

[8:15] » Okay. So, >> you know, you might can squeeze it, but

[8:18] you got to change the plan that stuff. This is your first project of this size.

[8:23] » That's small. >> Okay.

[8:25] » Yeah, that's small. >> Okay.

[8:28] » Cuz the light is so small. [snorts] >> And was this and then a 20 by 20? Is

[8:32] that one bedroom? >> One bedroom. Okay. Bath, kitchen. Um,

[8:41] did I get the plan for that? >> I saw the outside plans but not the

[8:45] inside floor plan. I think we need

[8:48] » I think we included the >> just just this one was included.

[8:52] » Yeah, the experience. >> Oh, I didn't give it.

[8:54] » Do you have the other >> I don't have the file. Okay,

[8:57] » but it's one bedroom, one bath. Fortunately, there's no back door on the

[9:04] front because the bedrooms [snorts]

[9:08] » unless as you go to find a way to make a back door, it's going to be hard.

[9:14] Would that be a safety feature? >> No back door

[9:17] » unless unless you put it in there and them plans is not. So I have to change

[9:21] it as I go. >> He asked me about the plans. The plans

[9:25] don't show it. But I have to put it in there as I go cuz on the plans it don't

[9:29] show it, >> right?

[9:30] » But as you build it yourself, you can >> you can but is that your plan to put it?

[9:36] » More than likely it will be. I normally do.

[9:39] » More than likely. I mean, I can't just if they let me get a [snorts] bill, you

[9:42] know, you got to submit that to the not just the board. I got to take it to the

[9:48] » fire probably would probably wouldn't allow it there.

[9:51] » Yeah, I got to take it to the, you know, >> Yeah,

[9:54] » you got to take it to the planning zone somewhere different when you start your

[9:57] bill permit. So, I had to make that change on my bill

[10:01] permit before I submit. >> This all I can come up with right now

[10:05] cuz [cough] [clears throat]

[10:07] » Mr. Normally we have back doors. We have a

[10:10] little back porch. >> Yeah.

[10:11] » On the houses out here. >> Mr. [clears throat] Carpenter.

[10:14] » So, look, >> I understand your business

[10:18] and I want to thank you for that. Thank you for choosing Blackstone. But I've

[10:23] been looking at this. I I personally find that kind of hard. I was sitting in

[10:28] my living room today looking at I'm like my living room is about 20 by 20

[10:34] and I'm former military. I used to live in a tent.

[10:38] And if you got a sixman or five men in your platoon or or or squad, back in the

[10:46] day when I was in, they would give you one half

[10:49] » of your tent. If there's only five, all I have is a

[10:56] half a tent and I can't stay there. But we got six, we give out six shelter

[11:02] half. But in essence, I'm finding that hard to accept. And

[11:09] then I've never been to jail, but I've seen

[11:13] plenty of jails say, and it looked like that was going to be incarceration to

[11:18] me. >> I live in a 24 by 24. I built it for my

[11:21] first step. I was 21 years old. >> Okay. [clears throat]

[11:25] » I live in one of them. >> Kind of hard for me to accept. The best

[11:28] thing ever happened to me because I ain't have no [clears throat] lot of

[11:32] electric bill. I ain't had no lot of water bill. I had no gas bill,

[11:35] » right? >> I ain't had no kids.

[11:39] All I needed was about 20. But that was a two bedroom real somebody come. But

[11:45] you [snorts] talking about 4 feet. I actually

[11:49] in Orange County, Virginia. >> Okay. Been there many years.

[11:54] real reason and affordable and once again it probably be $800 a month if I

[12:00] was to pay the rent $7 $800 cuz don't cost a lot to do. Only thing I would

[12:04] have to do like you said is find a way to put a back door

[12:08] and but you have to do that as you go. [snorts] You know what I mean? When I

[12:12] submit the build permit I will have to make changes which I got to architect

[12:15] it. I think I show you that that design but he'll charge me a lot more money

[12:20] to do that right now and I haven't even got it.

[12:24] I I can't spend $2,000 I might not get. That's what he charged me to change them

[12:30] blueprints. >> Okay.

[12:33] » So, >> but that's the only [clears throat]

[12:34] that's the only thing I can see that I can do different.

[12:38] » So, is the whole plant [cough] all open? >> Is it all open or is there is it walled

[12:44] off for like the bathroom and the >> Oh, no. It just showing on the

[12:47] blueprints where it show you got the ceiling fans, you got the kitchen, you

[12:50] got >> bathroom would have to be [snorts]

[12:54] bedroom, too. I think >> Oh, you got a separate door for your

[12:56] bathroom. Oh, yeah. Yeah. [snorts] >> It's a little house.

[13:01] » All that's going to be up. Okay. >> Is there parking on the street or will

[13:04] he have room to put a >> code requires off streetet parking? So,

[13:07] you'd [snorts] have to put him on the street, but there has to be

[13:13] accommodation for >> they got enough

[13:15] » off streetet parking >> because of the setback. Like say the

[13:18] neighbor the house is back [snorts] pretty deep and the average car is w cuz

[13:23] we got Lincoln or something might be a problem but you got a regular car like I

[13:28] got you can fit in it. Mhm. >> I mean, I [snorts] don't know how much

[13:32] space one person would really need [clears throat] what I how many people,

[13:37] you know, most people just need a nice living

[13:41] room, nice kitchen, bathroom, something to call their own,

[13:46] but I don't know. >> And you're renting this, right?

[13:49] » I was planning on renting, like I said, too. Affordable is affordable for a

[13:54] senior sense or a first time person.

[14:02] » [snorts] >> That's the only thing you can do cuz if

[14:03] you got this much room now you got to figure out a way to cut a little bit

[14:07] just for that door house to stay the same size but now you

[14:12] when you walking into your walkway.

[14:17] You know what I'm saying? You got to cut a hole out right there. That's where you

[14:19] have to put your put your back door. Much safer to have a back door. I agree.

[14:25] But I got to draw into the plans and and that cause all I can do is

[14:30] » well not only safer. I mean I'm not I'm not sure but it it might be something to

[14:35] do with fire code as well having a rear exit.

[14:37] » Well my first thing if an architect drew it [snorts] you're paying for that

[14:43] code knowledge. So it may not be required. I can't imagine an architect

[14:48] would prepare a set of drawings that were no not code compliant. So my first

[14:52] thought is maybe because of the size of the house, one bedroom, whatever reason,

[14:56] you don't have to have a back door. But if you wanted to put one, I think that

[15:01] this body would certainly >> Right. Right. Right. Change the plans.

[15:05] They're on there right away. >> Yeah. I can't imagine he would buy a set

[15:09] of plans, >> you know, that were publicly made

[15:12] available that weren't compliant. I have to think it was.

[15:15] » Okay. >> But I did get the drawing from I see

[15:18] that drawing where they put down the driveway. I think that's on the front

[15:20] page that you looking at >> uh right there [clears throat]

[15:27] at the setbacks. He did draw that out for me, but I

[15:32] didn't go further. He wanted to [snorts] just have to hold out to make

[15:38] changes. >> Okay.

[15:42] Is there any other statements that you could make for

[15:47] this project? >> Um, it would it would definitely help. I

[15:52] would get people in in the neighborhood work if they want. I need people. I'm

[15:57] like, I'm far away. >> Okay.

[15:58] » I think I met one gentleman that cut grass. I already asked him if I get it,

[16:02] would he be willing to work to help me maintain it until I can do something. He

[16:07] said, "Sure." And I [snorts] keep him going if he'd like. So, I'm already

[16:13] trying to, you know, keep on.

[16:18] » So, when you say that, are you referencing as you build it, you're

[16:21] going to get people locally to help you build it? Is that what you're Okay.

[16:25] » Exactly. >> Okay.

[16:27] » Exactly. I got it. >> Yeah.

[16:30] » You need somebody to help trim the trees. I have to hire somebody from

[16:33] around here. >> Mhm.

[16:34] » Brick, everything. Um, the hardware store. I have to find out where the one

[16:38] at sell roof trust. [snorts] You got to

[16:41] find out who do what, who do plumbing, who do quick, who do

[16:45] » escavation. Uh

[16:48] » you have to do everything that below because it wouldn't make sense to come

[16:53] so far with my own team and it's just me.

[16:56] » I don't even know if they let you pull your own permission.

[16:59] [cough] >> Excuse me.

[17:02] » Almost. And and when is this set to start?

[17:07] » When [clears throat] are to buy the property first? He's only going to buy

[17:10] the property if he can get approval. >> Right. I mean, this is all I'm saying.

[17:13] These all the steps. [cough] Got to get Mr. Utility involved. You got

[17:17] to [snorts] >> see, you know, who the neighborhood sell

[17:22] the roof. You got to submit the plans to him so he can order the right stuff.

[17:25] It's a lot involved, especially when you're doing it

[17:30] by yourself. You got to hire people that got license for everything. electric,

[17:34] the plumbing, the AC. That way you know it ain't going to be and you got a

[17:38] spectctor. So if not right, he not going to let it go through anyway.

[17:42] So it's going to be done right and fair and

[17:48] that's all I was trying to do. [snorts]

[17:52] Is that all? >> Yes, sir.

[17:53] » Appreciate your time. >> Thank you. I was uh Mr. Bagley. I was

[17:57] just looking up that uh corner Virginia V Virginia V Virginia residential uh

[18:02] code [snorts] does only require one hinged exterior door

[18:08] » on a building. >> Irregardless of size.

[18:12] » Yeah, >> I wouldn't get that. But I I would have

[18:15] been shocked if a set of publicly available plans were not co-compliant. I

[18:21] really thought that would be [snorts] >> okay.

[18:23] » I had a severe issue with that, but it's >> okay.

[18:27] » It passes code. It passes code. I I I actually have another house that's

[18:33] supposedly it has two doors. I have a front door and then right across

[18:38] maybe 10 ft away on the kitchen side. A side door. There is no door in the back

[18:42] for four bedrooms. And yeah. >> So, we're going to open up our

[18:46] opposition. >> Are we going to open it up?

[18:50] me. But >> are there anybody else?

[18:53] » No. >> Um, to speak for this project before I

[18:58] close the public hearing. >> Yes, ma'am.

[19:01] » For >> for

[19:02] » for the pro Yeah. >> Okay. [snorts]

[19:08] » Good evening. >> Good evening.

[19:09] » Good evening. >> My name is Jan. I'm here representing

[19:13] the owner of the lot, Mr. Lawson. I'm with Turnkey Real Estate um in Newport

[19:19] News. Um, Mr. Lawson hired me approximately about uh almost a year now

[19:26] to sell this lot um for him. Um, him and his wife um who is deceased at this

[19:32] point um had purchased the lot. Um they had um planned it at that time. Um the

[19:39] lot is small as we all have said. Um but there was a house on this lot at one

[19:45] time and this gentleman actually had I think a little side um building which

[19:49] was his barberh shop at that time right >> um after Mr. Lawson White had passed um

[19:56] about [snorts] two years ago he decided that he was not going to do anything

[19:59] with this man and so that's why he contracted me. Um, I'm here because this

[20:05] is the second time this request have come up um for variance. Um, and the

[20:12] reality is I want to advocate for it because I have pictures

[20:19] of what's going on with the lot now. That's a nice picture in your packet

[20:23] there, but a nice the lot is nice and empty, but this is what's going on with

[20:28] the lot. Now, I have a gentleman that rides by the lot. um just checks things

[20:34] out, make sure that it's pretty I mean it was a for sale sign on it so it got

[20:39] to look like it's for sale. Sometime you have trash bottles or whatever. It's not

[20:45] over the top but we know people are sitting there. Um currently if nobody

[20:50] have moved them there are chairs sitting there. So pretty much people just kind

[20:54] of just hang out there at that spot. Um the gentleman that kind of checked

[20:59] things out for me, he posted a no trespassing sign because it's for sale.

[21:05] So we constantly have people riding through people calling me. They're going

[21:08] out and looking. And so basically people are sitting around. They're like,

[21:12] "Really? Is it for sale?" Um even with my sign. So one day he came by and the

[21:17] new trespassing sign was gone because they somebody ripped the sign down.

[21:21] » And so he went and he put another one up. People were sitting there. He didn't

[21:25] say anything to them. Um then all of a sudden my sign go missing, my real

[21:30] estate sign. And I think I called actually Miss Lim being the neighbor. I

[21:35] know she's there. And I said, "Okay." I said, "The sign is gone. This is a

[21:39] mystery." He went out, he couldn't find it. Mr. Lawson one day went out and he

[21:44] found it in some brush in the backside of the lot. I'm glad because I don't

[21:48] know how to how I'm going to explain it to my broker. Um, so the reality is it's

[21:54] a lot of sitting there and I think the taxes on it is probably about I think

[21:59] last time I looked it was $29 a year. if you all would grant the variance.

[22:06] For me, I'm I'm real estate, so I'm not really specializing in the variance, but

[22:11] the two feet set back the five from the front.

[22:17] To me, it's not an unreasonable request because the reality is $29 a year versus

[22:26] $29 plus every month for utilities, water, trash, um, electricity,

[22:35] um, property taxes. Once something goes on the lot, it's going to increase the

[22:39] value of it. And so you will, the town will be benefiting. It would be

[22:44] benefiting for you all, but then it'll be benefiting for us not to have to

[22:49] worry about it as being a hangout spot there in the neighborhood. Um, we don't

[22:55] want to use town resources calling every single time somebody's in our lot,

[22:59] they're trespassing because there no trespassing on, but they're still

[23:02] sitting there. Then it's some nice houses in that community, beautiful

[23:06] [clears throat] houses in the community. So when you have that type of activity,

[23:11] anybody [snorts] else that goes to sell in the neighborhood, do they really want

[23:14] to come? I see it all the time with real estate. People are constantly looking at

[23:18] the neighborhood. And so if they feel like that it's not a neighborhood that's

[23:22] kept up and people are not hanging around, it devalues [snorts]

[23:25] the neighborhood. So I think Mr. Coffler's request is really exciting

[23:33] to Mr. Lawson. We would love to see this land being used for something more

[23:38] beneficial [snorts] and that will benefit him

[23:40] [clears throat] as the seller and also the town because

[23:43] of the [snorts] revenue that you offer. Any questions for me?

[23:50] » Thank you. [snorts]

[23:57] » Do we have any questions? Anybody else present want to speak for this

[24:04] project? [snorts]

[24:07] » So I hereby close the public hearing and open it for is there anyone present want

[24:13] to speak against this project? [snorts] >> Yes ma'am.

[24:28] This is the first time I ever been to a town council meeting.

[24:32] » Speak your mic. >> Thank you.

[24:34] » Can you hear me? >> And provide your name so we can

[24:40] name the news. >> My name is [clears throat] Patricia H

[24:45] and I live in this area. I live on Second Street,

[24:51] but I also [snorts]

[24:55] u pretty much if you want to call it. I've been living there for almost gosh

[25:02] about 10 or 15 years. [snorts] I enjoy the area. There's never been no trouble.

[25:10] And another disrespect to you to build a house there.

[25:17] It wouldn't fit on a small property.

[25:23] First, he said there would no be a back door.

[25:27] That's not That's supposed to be safety if you get a back door.

[25:34] [snorts] Why would you have a front door? Don't have a back door. But yet

[25:38] you going to wait. You get all your contract and everything together. You

[25:43] should have had this from the beginning before you want this property.

[25:48] This is a nice area. This area is for the [snorts] kids that

[25:53] run around. >> [clears throat]

[25:56] » and play. Why would you want to take that away

[25:59] from them? I mean, some of the people that sit on

[26:03] this property is Mr. Lawson and friend. So, he have no right to say

[26:12] all kind of people is sitting on the property. Sometimes first you got to

[26:16] look at yourself before you talk about anybody else.

[26:19] But to build a house there right now, it will take away the view. It is a nice

[26:25] area. We all get along. [snorts] But not to have a back door. If you got a elder

[26:32] person in there [cough] in a wheelchair, can't get out, you

[26:37] better not be able to get out the front door.

[26:41] So what you supposed to do? You ain't got no back door, so you can't go

[26:45] nowhere else. Your room,

[26:49] I don't know. I'm not familiar with side of the rooms or anything. I just know.

[26:55] But suppose this person got a room, her bedroom, got a telephone in it. She

[27:01] comes out, there's a fire going on. She can't make it back to her phone. Can't

[27:07] make it to the front door. What door is she going?

[27:13] What door is she going? And like I [snorts] said, this is a nice

[27:18] area. We all together help each other out. Even help the elders out. I do.

[27:27] I've been in nursing for years and I walked it worked in that

[27:33] area. But for to build something right now, no, I don't think so. I think it it

[27:40] is the wrong time.

[27:45] Where you going to park at?

[27:50] You suppose somebody might want to come visit you your friends or family. What

[27:55] they supposed to do? Park out in the street or take one car park in that

[27:59] area. You never know when a car will come by

[28:02] and hit this car parked halfway in the street.

[28:07] I mean, I know he did his work and everything, but sometime you got to

[28:12] thank.

[28:15] So that's all I'm just saying what I wanted to say.

[28:19] » Thank you very much. >> I have I have a question. So the

[28:24] property owner is the one that wants to sell the

[28:29] property. >> Yes.

[28:31] » So with that being said, it is the property owner's right,

[28:38] » right, >> to sell his property, right? And I

[28:41] understand that maybe people have been enjoying it and kids have been playing

[28:45] on it. >> Also, he been on

[28:47] » but it's his property. >> I understand. [laughter]

[28:50] » So his property he gets to dictate whether or not he wants to sell it or

[28:56] not sell it. >> Right.

[28:58] » Um the part of the door that was brought up according to the code and I looked it

[29:03] up legally there only have to be one door legally.

[29:10] So whether we agree or disagree, legally it's allowed,

[29:15] » but technically you're supposed to have two doors

[29:17] » legally by the code of building >> it. The state of Virginia, I understand.

[29:24] I've never lived in a house with one door. I get what you're saying and I was

[29:28] the one that originally said it, but I had to look it up. And so to be correct

[29:34] and to be legally and according to the code, it is allowed. [cough]

[29:38] Whether we like it or not, it's it's allowed. Um, and so I hear what you're

[29:45] saying. You live in the neighborhood. You know, y'all enjoy the area, but

[29:50] what is your reason other than you living in the

[29:55] neighborhood, the kids enjoying it, the door, what

[30:01] would be a reason for this property to not be sold? If the owner himself is

[30:08] saying he wants to sell it, can you give me a reason?

[30:13] » Um, no, not really. But like I said, >> why would you want to build a house with

[30:19] one door? >> Cuz it's a

[30:24] » is a person [snorts] a elder person that cannot get out the house, cannot even

[30:29] get out the front door. That's illegal. >> It's legal.

[30:33] » It's legal. >> It's legal.

[30:35] » The state of Virginia, >> but it need to be corrected

[30:40] [laughter] here.

[30:41] » It does, but we cannot do that. I don't understand. [laughter]

[30:47] » But um right now

[30:52] I don't >> That's just your feelings. That's right.

[30:55] » You Okay. >> I don't think that it should be right

[30:58] now. No. >> Okay.

[31:01] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[31:02] » Thank you so much. >> Is there anyone else present that like

[31:06] to speak against this project?

[31:12] [snorts]

[31:14] Philip, can I ask you a question? >> The last time this property came before

[31:19] us, was this the one that wanted to build a twotory

[31:22] » twotory hub? >> I thought so. Okay.

[31:24] » Last time. >> Yeah.

[31:27] » Hello. >> Hello.

[31:31] » I'm against it because like Miss Holmes said,

[31:35] not [snorts] what I don't think is right at this time.

[31:41] Then where you going have your parking at

[31:45] and where you going to have your driveway coming in?

[31:51] Right now all that is the right time.

[32:00] » Anyone else? [clears throat]

[32:03] » Good evening everyone. >> Good evening.

[32:05] » Good evening. My name is Carolyn Williams. I live

[32:08] right in the back of the um the lot and I've been there for over 40 years. It's

[32:16] hard to believe, but when the current owner was there, it was a small house.

[32:21] It was like a two or three bedroom house. And Mr. Badley did have a back

[32:26] door. And I knew that because I used to go over there and frequent him. He was

[32:29] um our neighbor and stuff. Um and I didn't know anything about a back door

[32:33] until he said it. I was concerned about the makeup of it because I know the last

[32:36] time we was here was a twotory and now this is a one story. Um I'm really

[32:41] concerned about the parking issue in the 10 ft versus the 12 ft because as you

[32:46] know that's a lot of um traffic on that second what is that Freeman and second

[32:52] we have the Monoya green right there in front of it. A lot of those residents

[32:55] walk over and catch the bus there because the bus stop right there at that

[33:00] tree. They have a little area that they stand up, but the but they have to walk

[33:03] over it and get on the bus right there. So, I'll be concerned about that also

[33:08] and that is a high traffic area. So, all of those things was on my mind when I

[33:12] came here today. I'm glad it's affordable because I'm always preaching

[33:15] affordable housing. However, I would like to make sure that it's affordable

[33:19] safe house, especially if we're going to put a elderly person there. Um, want to

[33:25] make sure they can get in and out whether you have one door or two door.

[33:28] As I said, I didn't know the plans didn't have any back door, but it is a

[33:32] message from Virginia. Shame on Virginia. Um, I'm not here to make any

[33:36] new rules or anything like that, but I think we have to take everything that

[33:39] was said in consideration um today. And I did talk to some of my neighbors

[33:44] like I did last time, my neighbors in the apartment and on the side of me, and

[33:49] they said that they would not like to see a tiny house put in our area at this

[33:54] time. >> Thank you.

[33:57] » Thank you.

[34:01] anything from the committee. >> What What are the dimensions of a tiny

[34:05] house? Cuz this is not considered a tiny house, right?

[34:08] » It hadn't been presented to me as a tiny house. And our ordinances don't have a

[34:11] definition. You may be able to find it online, but I don't know if a tiny house

[34:15] actually has a minimum or a maximum square foot.

[34:18] » Yeah, there's different sizes of tiny of tiny.

[34:21] » Well, we do know it's going to be [snorts] small. A kitchen, a bathroom.

[34:23] » It'll be a 20 by 20. >> We have to be realistic. We have to

[34:27] realize that's small. So we just I just take all that in consideration.

[34:32] » But it's lovable. >> Yeah, I understand that. Um but then I

[34:37] also know that the prices of rental houses around here, the average person

[34:42] can't afford it. So if this becomes something that people actually can

[34:46] afford. >> No, that's true. My aunt

[34:49] » My aunt just moved here from uh California and she's living with my

[34:53] grandmother cuz she can't afford the rent.

[34:55] » Can't afford it. cost around here. >> Yeah. I mean, it's ridiculous what the

[34:58] cost. >> She's a she's a school teacher,

[35:01] » you know, here in town and uh >> cannot

[35:04] » can't afford to rent. >> Person cannot afford to rent these

[35:08] houses that have been allowed to be put here.

[35:13] » I need to close the public hearing. >> He has

[35:18] I just want to count on some of the uh things they were saying.

[35:21] » All right. >> In case they don't, you know, didn't

[35:23] know. But as I was saying, there will be enough room for a car park. I wouldn't

[35:29] put my car. The tree will have to go. First thing, that big old tree have to

[35:34] be gone. And I get permission from them for that. That's enough room to park the

[35:38] car. The second thing I would try to put [cough]

[35:41] I wouldn't want my mother not to be able to get out, but I got to get blueprints

[35:45] for that, >> right? Which cause I wasn't going to

[35:47] send that cuz this the only thing I could get for now. But I got architect

[35:52] to draw up where the driveway go. Did you get that?

[35:55] » I did not. >> I got

[35:58] better for me today if I had a picture. I did not. That's why I was shocked when

[36:03] I heard that. >> Yeah. I just have some drawings

[36:06] » which I did pay for to show uh I think you said you're in the back. Yeah, sure.

[36:15] Whoever in the back got on there for that person

[36:24] to show on there. I got where the driveway go

[36:26] » say [clears throat]

[36:31] ain't no car that long. I'mma get two. [clears throat]

[36:36] That's what y'all not looking at. That tree got to be gone. Got to level it

[36:38] out. It's ways and they do got parking on our side.

[36:43] » Well, in your statement, you did say remove large tree at

[36:48] » I mean, you got to put the house there. >> I got my statement

[36:51] » and I think you're saying that you haven't gotten the full drawings because

[36:53] you don't know if you're going to get permission

[36:56] or not going to buy the property. >> Yeah. So,

[36:59] » you can't give an architect [cough] until after

[37:05] fix that the back door. And I didn't say it has to be elderly. I said affordable.

[37:10] » Right? >> You get what I'm saying? I ain't say I

[37:13] mean 21 years old people got jobs at Walmart.

[37:20] » But I'm making it for either. >> So I'm about to do it twice.

[37:24] » That that's all. So it won't be like outdoor. And I wouldn't care if the kids

[37:29] still come play there until I do it because it can't be done overnight. It's

[37:34] a big project. You know, I got nieces and nephew, brothers and sisters. I

[37:39] don't have a problem with [snorts] that.

[37:44] » Count the ceiling tiles. >> Okay.

[37:46] » And that'll tell me how far 20 ft. >> I was looking at the room trying to

[37:50] [laughter] What are the dimensions of this room?

[37:52] » Look at those ceiling tiles. I think they're two foot each. They are to give

[37:55] you perspective. >> 10 of those tiles would be about 20 ft.

[38:00] » Correct. >> 14 16. So

[38:04] » where from where to here would tell me where to start.

[38:06] » So let's just say if you start at the front

[38:08] » but you know all right 2 4 6 8 14 >> that row of lights right there.

[38:15] » So >> yeah right there when you get right up

[38:18] there this and this >> 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 and two more

[38:24] feet. >> Okay wide. So, it'll be a little wider

[38:27] than this room, but it'll be from here. >> A little bit wider. A couple feet wider.

[38:30] And and approximately >> to right here.

[38:32] » Yeah. Not quite to the wall because there's that little screen

[38:36] that that thing. >> Okay.

[38:40] » My thing is [cough]

[38:44] I I think I know a person or so that >> kind of sleep in the post office.

[38:50] » They would love to have a 20 by 20 house to live in versus having to stay in the

[38:54] post office at night. >> [snorts]

[38:59] » And there's several people >> in this community.

[39:03] » They don't have places to live. So to have an affordable place, even if it was

[39:08] a 20 by 20, I think they' take a 20 by 20 versus sleeping in the post office.

[39:13] » Yes. >> And and also um

[39:15] » Yes. >> Okay.

[39:16] » If truly we know somebody's sleeping in the post office, we need to be proactive

[39:20] in doing something. Don't wait till a house get built all of a sudden because

[39:24] we're not against that. We just talking about the traffic and what our neighbors

[39:28] wanted. That's the whole purpose of us coming forward because as I said before,

[39:32] I'm all for affordability. I've been saying this since day one since I've

[39:36] been on the council. >> But we're talking about apples and

[39:40] oranges. One doesn't go with the other. We may know somebody who's sleeping in

[39:44] the parking lot. I mean, it pulls up. That's that's horrible.

[39:48] » But we're talking about building a house on that property.

[39:52] » I'm talking about affordability is what I'm

[39:57] I I am a and have always been uh a advocate of if it's your property and

[40:05] it's within the law, you do what you want on your property.

[40:09] » If you ain't breaking the law and it's your property, you do what you want with

[40:12] it. >> I don't want somebody telling me what to

[40:14] do with my house in my yard, in my property. That's why I don't live in a

[40:19] HOA. >> I have a question for that. I mean, we

[40:23] can go on all day with this and that's not [snorts] my intent because I just

[40:26] can't. >> If that was the case, if we have all of

[40:30] these concerns that you guys have good proposals and your your thoughts, why

[40:35] wasn't it so the first time when all these concerns came out about the 10 ft

[40:40] versus 12 feet? We wouldn't be here today.

[40:42] » I vote I voted I voted to to do it the first time.

[40:45] » I was I was outvoted. >> Said no. So, we wouldn't be here today

[40:49] to that story. could have been sold

[40:52] » that was not going to conform to the neighborhood is the reason why

[40:56] » because the the biggest thing that I recall from that meeting was the parking

[41:01] and if it was permissible then certainly we wouldn't be here today.

[41:06] » Okay. >> So I'm just saying that

[41:08] » okay >> thank all of you for your candid

[41:12] statements. So the public hearing is closed.

[41:19] [snorts] So I will accept a motion for or against

[41:24] this particular project at this time. Um I make a motion to accept the

[41:32] variance request for the 10 ft on either side

[41:38] and the also the variance requests for the frontage. Um,

[41:45] » I'll make that. >> Okay.

[41:48] » Second. >> Okay.

[41:49] » Been moved and probably second by Mr. Quick

[41:53] » Queen. Yeah. >> Mr. Queen, excuse me. That the variance

[41:58] for the 10 foot on the side be received and accepted and the 30 foot on the

[42:05] front will be received and accepted. It would be down to 25 ft from 35 to 25 or

[42:11] in line with the adjacent house if that's even closer.

[42:15] » Okay. >> In line with the adjacent house. Yeah.

[42:18] » Would be in line with the adjacent house. All in favor of said motion

[42:24] » say I. >> I.

[42:25] » I. >> I.

[42:27] All opposed. None opposed. Motion carried.

[42:34] » Thank you. Do you have anything else built?

[42:38] » I don't have anything else unless y'all have any questions of me.

[42:40] » Okay. >> Now question

[42:45] » on the final drawing. Will we get to see that again to see if that

[42:51] » Well, I guess it's not that important there about that door, but that is a big

[42:56] concern. get you a copy. Said he [clears throat] would try

[43:00] » consider. He said it was legally required,

[43:05] » but anybody with a heart would make sure that there was safe.

[43:08] » Any questions? >> All good.

[43:10] » All good. So, we will adjourn and it is 6:47.

Board of Zoning Appeals - 8-24-26

Transcript