Request denied, but home can still be sited (06/14/06)

In this case, a “no” vote didn’t actually mean no.

A Portland woman’s request for a variance was denied by members of the Portland Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday evening.

But after her request was turned down by the board, a way for her to site a manufactured home without violating the city’s zoning ordinance was found.

Peggy Thompson, 916 N. Ben Hawkins Ave., had asked for the variance to allow the front of a modular home to face the side yard, rather than the front yard, on her lot.

Her lot is 67 feet wide and the modular home is 68 feet long, preventing it from being placed so the front of the house would face the street.

Thompson said she planned to tear down her current home after the new one is installed. The old one is falling down, she said.

Board vice president Ron May spoke in favor of the request. He said it should be granted because the new home would look much better than the one currently on the lot.

“I sympathize, but where do you stop?” said board member Vicki Tague.

“It’s not spot zoning,” May said.

Before board members voted, they reviewed two letters of concern received from neighboring property owners. Audrey Lanning, 835 N. Creagor Ave., and Bill Gibson, who owns property located at 216 W. McNeal St., submitted letters.

Gibson’s letter stated that he wanted the land to be surveyed. Also, if Thompson decides to make a new gravel driveway it should be on her side of the property line.

Thompson said she is required by the company manufacturing the modular home to have the land surveyed, and she plans to leave her driveway where it is, which is on her side of the property line.

Lanning’s letter stated that she didn’t think there was enough room on the lot for both the old house and the new one. Thompson plans to raze the old house.

The vote was 1-3, with May casting the lone favorable vote. Board president Ken Walters, Tague and new member Larry Petro voted against the request. Secretary Susan Schutz did not attend the meeting.

Tague said this morning, she voted against the request because she felt it is important for modular homes to conform to the zoning ordinance.

After the board voted, Bill Milligan, Jay/Portland Building and Planning administrator, said there might still be a way Thompson could put the modular home on her lot.

Earlier in the meeting, Thompson said she is considering having a local company build an enclosed porch on the side of the new house which faces the street.

“If she puts a glass enclosure on the front with a door, that would comply with what we’re asking,” Milligan said. This would make the house meet the zoning ordinance standards, so no variance would be required, he said. Thompson would need to meet with the company which would build the porch, and bring the plans to him.

Thompson said she would do such.

“We’re happy that we can solve that for you,” Walters said.

In other business, a the owner of a local business was granted a special exception, allowing her to hold auctions.

Phyllis Williams of The Estate Gallery, 215 W. Main St., said she would like to hold estate and antique auctions at the rear of the building three times a month. Williams and her family have been in the auction business since 1965.

Board members unanimously voted to grant the request as long as all of the merchandise is kept inside the building.

The building and planning office did not receive any objections to the special exception from neighboring property owners of the building, which is owned by the county and leased to Williams.

Also, Monday was the first meeting for Petro, who was not recognized during the meeting.

Petro is replacing board member Betty Miller, who resigned from the board about two months ago due to health issues, Milligan said after the meeting.

Petro works at Franklin’s Electrical Service, Portland, and is a member of the Portland Junior League board of directors. He is on temporary leave from the Bryant Fire Department.[[In-content Ad]]