Dresden BZA Approves Variance Request for St. James Methodist Church

The Dresden Board of Zoning Appeals met on Monday, October 28 to discuss variance requests submitted by St. James Methodist Church. Two side yard setback variances and a minimum lot size variance were requested as part of a proposed minor subdivision plat.  The plat proposes to create separate lots for an existing church building and an existing parsonage which are both currently located on the same property.  The proposed church lot would be 18,237 square feet in size, while the parsonage lot would be 10,824 square feet in size.  The properties front on North Wilson Street, East North Street, and East Park Street.  The property is zoned R-2 (Medium Density Residential.

The side setback variances are needed because the proposed interior lot line would leave only 11.6 feet between the church and parsonage structures.  The required side setbacks are ten feet for a residence and 25 feet for a church. A minimum lot size variance is needed because the required minimum lot size for a church in an R-2 district is two acres (and the proposed church lot would be 18,237 square feet).  In fact, the size of the property prior to subdivision is only 29,061 square feet. 

According to previous research the staff planner has performed, variances would be warranted for these situations, if their granting is deemed necessary in allowing for two existing principal structures, on the same property, to then be situated on their own individual property.  In this case, it does not appear possible to subdivide the proposed lots, without granting the requested variances.  Therefore, the requested variances would appear to be warranted in order to allow for the creation of separate properties for the church and for the parsonage.  The staff planner recommended approval of side yard setback variances and a minimum lot size variance for St. James Methodist Church.

After reviewing the minor subdivision plat and Staff Planner Donny Bunton’s recommendations, Kory Green made a motion to grant a setback and lot size variance for this proposed minor subdivision.  Ralph Cobb seconded the motion.  The motion was unanimously approved.  The minor subdivision plat was forwarded to the Planning Commission and was administratively approved.