The Forsyth County Zoning Board of Appeals welcomed Jim Kinsey back to the five-member panel during its monthly meeting Tuesday.Kinsey served as the county’s northern District 4 appointee through the end of 2012, when his term concluded with that of the outgoing county commissioner.He was reappointed in March by District 2 Commissioner Brian Tam for another concurrent term, this time representing the south Forsyth area.Forsyth County code does not require ZBA members to live in the district of the appointing commissioner.Also during its meeting Tuesday night, the board approved four variance requests, including:• A lot width variance for McFarland Land Holdings LLC to allow for an oddly shaped parcel with the narrowest distance being 29 feet rather than the required 60 feet. The site on Atlanta Highway and Nine McFarland Drive is a nonconforming lot that needs the variance as a first step before recording a plat and moving the property line to eventually obtain a building permit.The owner hopes to incorporate the site in the plans for a well-known restaurant, according to attorney Ethan Underwood. The planning department has a pending site development permit request for a Dunkin’ Donuts at the same address.• A rear yard variance of 24 feet to permit a swimming pool to be 1 foot from the property line on a lot in the St. Marlo subdivision. The small site has a retaining wall and backs up to a golf course.• A 10-foot variance for the rear and side yard at a more than 3-property on Bagley Road for a swimming pool. The home is in the corner of the lot and backs up to a lake with a dividing 20-foot retaining wall.• A 5-foot front yard variance for a lot in The Gables at Stoney Point subdivision to allow space for a deck to be built in the back yard. The home is in phase two of the existing subdivision, which has required several front yard variances based on the topography.• Also, the Smart Growth Forsyth County and Laurel Springs HOA appeal of an administrative decision to grant a land disturbance permit for a south Forsyth Walmart was postponed to May 7.Note: All votes were 5-0 unless otherwise noted.
The Forsyth County Zoning Board of Appeals welcomed Jim Kinsey back to the five-member panel during its monthly meeting Tuesday.Kinsey served as the county’s northern District 4 appointee through the end of 2012, when his term concluded with that of the outgoing county commissioner.He was reappointed in March by District 2 Commissioner Brian Tam for another concurrent term, this time representing the south Forsyth area.Forsyth County code does not require ZBA members to live in the district of the appointing commissioner.Also during its meeting Tuesday night, the board approved four variance requests, including:• A lot width variance for McFarland Land Holdings LLC to allow for an oddly shaped parcel with the narrowest distance being 29 feet rather than the required 60 feet. The site on Atlanta Highway and Nine McFarland Drive is a nonconforming lot that needs the variance as a first step before recording a plat and moving the property line to eventually obtain a building permit.The owner hopes to incorporate the site in the plans for a well-known restaurant, according to attorney Ethan Underwood. The planning department has a pending site development permit request for a Dunkin’ Donuts at the same address.• A rear yard variance of 24 feet to permit a swimming pool to be 1 foot from the property line on a lot in the St. Marlo subdivision. The small site has a retaining wall and backs up to a golf course.• A 10-foot variance for the rear and side yard at a more than 3-property on Bagley Road for a swimming pool. The home is in the corner of the lot and backs up to a lake with a dividing 20-foot retaining wall.• A 5-foot front yard variance for a lot in The Gables at Stoney Point subdivision to allow space for a deck to be built in the back yard. The home is in phase two of the existing subdivision, which has required several front yard variances based on the topography.• Also, the Smart Growth Forsyth County and Laurel Springs HOA appeal of an administrative decision to grant a land disturbance permit for a south Forsyth Walmart was postponed to May 7.Note: All votes were 5-0 unless otherwise noted.