A series of tree-cut applications took up almost half of a lengthy meeting of the Planning Commission on March 11.
Sitting as the Board of Zoning Adjustment, commissioners approved five applications to remove trees. In most cases, the vote was unanimous, although commissioner Tom Buford abstained from four of the votes. He voted with the majority on a request to remove 16 trees at 150 Passion Play Rd. for Jeff and Heather Carter.
The trees all fall within the build path of new construction or a planned parking area. Some trees would have prevented access by firetrucks. The approval included a stipulation to replant 10 trees within a year, and Buford noted that the city’s tree ordinance includes recommended tree varieties. Buford did not list a reason for abstaining from the other tree-cut votes, but his vote was not needed for approval.
At 135 Spring St., Mike Larrew appeared on behalf of owner Will Wright, asking to remove nine trees causing damage to the structure. Larrew said an insurance company had recommended cutting those trees. Commissioner David Buttecali asked if a letter from the insurance company was included in the application. Although the letter was not produced, the trees in question met the criteria for removal, and the approval was granted.
Jay Gustin had appeared before the commission previously with plans for development along Pivot Rock Rd. He received approval for a plan to remove four trees in the way of home construction. Gustin said the house site had been moved to minimize the impact on trees.
Lee Turner received approval for his plan to remove two trees at 32 Kingshighway where one of the trees was damaging a retaining wall. Shaman Hill, at 7 Echols St., brought pictures showing a tree leaning precipitously over the house, and the removal request was also granted.
The BOZA portion of the meeting gave way to Planning business. Renee Roberts was granted a Conditional-Use Permit for a home occupation at 33 Ridgeway Ave. Roberts has previously provided one-on-one Pilates instruction, and she plans to offer the same service.
Commissioners also approved a request from John Cross to demolish a rotted porch and addition. A new structure will be built on the same footprint.
Lot sizes:
Commissioners continued an ongoing discussion about reducing the minimum lot size in R-1 zoning from 4,000 square feet to 3,200. Currently, anyone wishing to build on a lot smaller than 4,000 square feet must come before the commission for a variance, and reducing the minimum size would let people skip that process. The commissioners also discussed reducing the minimum side setback from 10 feet to eight. They also considered reducing parking requirements, to preserve more of a small lot for construction, but commissioner Ann Tandy-Sallee suggested maintaining the present requirements for off-street parking. Prospective homeowners could still apply for a parking variance on a case-by-case basis. The discussion will continue at the April 8 commission meeting
Fences
Commission Chair Fergie Stewart initiated a discussion about fences. While driving around town, Stewart said he saw more fences on the ground than standing. He also encountered a wide variety of fencing materials and style, including chain link. On E. Mountain Dr., he noted four different types of fence, all in a state of disrepair. He said any regulations about fences should include provisions for aesthetics and maintenance.
Tandy-Sallee said the Historic District Commission had authority over fences, and Cassie Dishman, director of Planning and Community Development, explained that the HDC has different standards in historical neighborhoods than in other areas. Dishman also had a copy of an ordinance from Fayetteville concerning fences, and Stewart described that ordinance as “very broad, but a good start.” Tandy-Sallee suggested scheduling a future workshop on this topic.
In other business
- A discussion on billboards will continue at the April 8 meeting. Commissioners have wrestled with a variety of issues, including maintenance. A grandfathered billboard can be repaired, but it would require a new permit if destroyed or moved. The discussion differentiated between business signs and billboards advertising an off-premises attraction.
- A workshop on area development is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. Dishman said she has a variety of maps for the commissioners to use in considering areas outside of city limits to target for annexation.
- Dishman had been asked to research alternative meeting dates for November, when the regular schedule of the second Tuesday of each month would have landed on Veterans’ Day. Dishman found available dates on Nov. 6, 13, 14, and 21. The commissioners wanted to avoid meeting on a Friday, and they selected Thursday, Nov. 13.