Board of Adjustment 5/28/26

Board of Adjustment Meeting Recap: May 28, 2026 – Montreat

The Board of Adjustment held its monthly meeting on May 28, 2026, for the Town of Montreat. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ed Kramer and attended by board members Bill Neal, Maury Grambling, Bill Shy, Dave Neal, and Josh. The primary focus of the meeting was a variance request concerning property at 112 Kanawha Drive, but discussions also touched on procedural guidelines and future board responsibilities.

The central item of business was a request from Danny Zorn, owner of 112 Kanawha Drive. Mr. Zorn sought a variance from the town's zoning ordinance to reduce the required side setback on his property from 15 feet to 5 feet. This reduction is needed to accommodate a fence around his pool and yard, alongside planned landscaping improvements that Mr. Zorn believes will enhance the neighborhood’s appearance and complement a neighboring property. Planner Shelly Johnson presented details of the proposal, highlighting its location within an R1 zoning district and outlining existing setback requirements. Following Mr. Zorn's presentation, which included detailed landscaping plans, neighbors Fran Aceto and Steve Asito from 121 Kanawha Drive offered their support, praising Mr. Zorn as a good neighbor and expressing excitement about the pool project. After careful deliberation, considering the ordinance's intent and potential hardship, the Board unanimously approved Mr. Zorn’s variance request. This means he can proceed with his fence and landscaping plans as proposed.

Beyond the Kanawha Drive variance, a portion of the meeting was dedicated to legal guidance from the Town Attorney. The attorney emphasized the importance of adhering to evidentiary rules and relying on testimony presented during hearings, a key reminder for the Board as they review future requests. The board also briefly discussed their role in reviewing potential future projects that may require variances, and the ongoing effort to find a resident within the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) to fill an open board position.

Community input was a significant element of the meeting, with supportive testimony from neighboring residents playing a key role in the Board's decision. Mr. Zorn’s presentation, detailing his landscaping plans and their potential benefit to the neighborhood, further demonstrated a commitment to enhancing Montreat’s aesthetic appeal.

Looking ahead, Josh will finalize and send the formal written order approving Mr. Zorn’s variance. The next scheduled Board of Adjustment meeting is tentatively set for July 4th, and residents are encouraged to check the town website for confirmation. This meeting demonstrated a straightforward process resulting in an approved variance that will allow a resident to enhance their property while contributing positively to the neighborhood.

This recap aims to provide Montreat residents with a clear understanding of the Board of Adjustment's actions and their implications.