Homeowners who failed to get necessary approvals for work in historic districts were the focus of Tuesday’s meeting of the Macon-Bibb County’s Planning & Zoning Commission.
At 144 Beverly Place, new homeowner Jordan Graham installed a six-foot privacy fence across the back of her driveway without realizing the Vineville Historic neighborhood required a certificate of appropriateness.
Upon learning of the regulations, Graham contacted P&Z to file an application.
Although the fence follows the guidelines for size and location, nextdoor neighbor Tracy Archer couldn’t access the side of her garage and filed a P&Z complaint.
Archer’s garage was built on the property line before regulations required a building setback designed to prevent such dilemmas. She wanted Graham to shift the fence to allow maintenance on the side of the garage.
On Nov. 4, the Design Review Board determined that neither property owner was in violation since the garage was grandfathered in under the current guidelines.
“Fences do not have a setback from the side property line at all,” P&Z Zoning Director Butch Sementilli told Archer and her daughter. “If your accessory building were damaged, it would have to be moved five feet. Her fence is correct.”
The guidelines direct that if any renovation or repair is needed on a non-compliant structure, it must be brought into compliance during that project.
Design Review Board Chair Will Stanford suggested Archer talk to her neighbor about occasional access for repairs, but from the hearing testimony it was apparent the dispute had damaged the relationship.
When it was clear the board was going to approve Graham’s fence, Archer abruptly left the hearing room.
Tuesday, P&Z unanimously affirmed the board’s decision without anyone speaking in opposition.
Sementilli said it was up to Graham to decide whether she would allow Archer into her backyard.
“She doesn’t have to. It’s her property,” he said.
Also on Tuesday’s consent agenda was Shandrea Walker’s landscape plan for 195 Pio Nono Ave. after she removed two large trees without securing approval from the Design Review Board.
P&Z Chair Jeane Easom was familiar with the house and agreed the trees needed to be removed due to roots encroaching on the foundation and driveway.
The Design Review Board stipulated that Walker replace the trees with something suitable, but farther away from the house and driveway.
The board also agreed to Walker’s planned repairs to the driveway.
Tree removals and exterior renovations need to be approved by the Design Review Board in historic districts, but many property owners learn that after the fact. They still have to apply for approval to come into compliance by making any required revisions.
P&Z is updating its historic district guidelines. To learn more information about the project or provide feedback, visit PreserveMaconDistricts.com.
November’s 5-minute meeting to approve those two items precedes a lengthy draft agenda of more than 20 items for Dec. 9, including approving the reorganization and changes to the Comprehensive Land Development Resolution that has undergone an 18-month revision process.
Other items include a veterinary clinic and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice on Bass Road, downtown Macon pet shop and kennel with grooming and daycare, 68-lot residential development on Rivoli, a ready-mix concrete plant on Barnes Ferry Road, commercial truck parking on Riggins Mill Road and NE Industrial Highway, a medical clinic focusing on aesthetics and wellness, and event venues on Jeffersonville Road and Mercer University Drive.
Items are subject to change on the agenda before the Dec. 9 meeting at 1:30 p.m. at Macon Mall.
— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-957-2829.
