City replaces all but one member on the Board of Zoning Appeals

Two local builders were granted variances on Hohenwald's codes and zoning last week during a meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals, August 10, 2020.

Only one former member of the BZA, Stephanie Runions, was in attendance with a complete new Board in place.

New members to the Board in attendance included City Councilman Scottie Bass, Dale Floyd, Kevin Baker and Clasha Tanner.

Members Larry McCutcheon, Jerry Risner, June Defoe and Barbara Hinson were absent. Mr. McCutcheon said Tuesday he was not notified of the meeting. Miss Hinson, the chairman of the Board, was also not notified by the City. Mr. Risner was not made aware of the meeting. Neither did Ms. Defoe receive notification, she said.

The City Council historically has appointed new members by resolution, but did not the week prior at the August 4, 2020 meeting.

According to a source, some of the terms may have expired: McCutcheon and Hinson in March 2019, Defoe in September 2018, and Risner in September 2016.

The City confirmed Tuesday the former members had been replaced.

Minutes from the last meeting of the BZA were not part of the agenda, nor were they presented. The BZA last met in May 2020.

The August meeting was conducted by Mrs. Runions in the absence of a chairman or other officers.

In New Business, Michael Creasy was given a variance for a garage at 789 Smith Avenue by motion of Floyd, seconded by Councilman Bass. The variance was unanimously approved.

A variance at the corner of Park Avenue South and 4th Avenue was granted for Greg Amacher after a discussion with Codes Enforcer Brad Rasbury.

Requested was to subdivide the lot based on the fact the lot was purchased with two hook-ups for water and electric.

Floyd expressed concern the BZA would be setting precedence when Rasbury confirmed neither lot would conform to the 100 feet required size.

The subdivided lots "conform with recent variances," Rasbury told the BZA. "As long as he builds a good looking house, no one's gonna bark," he added.

Mrs. Runions agreed, noting the corner had been posted prior to the meeting and "no one is here to protest," she commented.

Mr. Amacher previously attended a meeting of the Hohenwald Planning Commission with the request. That commission directed him to the BZA.

"It doesn't always go to the Planning Commission because it wastes everyone's time," Mr. Rasbury explained.

A variance of ten feet on the front yard for Tract 1 facing 4th Avenue was granted unanimously with a motion by Floyd, seconded by Bass.

On Tract 2, a 15 feet variance on the west and 10 feet on the north side were granted. A motion by Runions, seconded by Floyd, approved the lot sizes.

Noted by Mr. Rasbury was the fact there is a housing shortage in Hohenwald with most new spec homes being under contract before framing is complete.

Inspections of new construction have increased from seven per week, to seven or eight per day, he added.

Following New Business, Mrs. Runions was nominated as chairman and appointed by acclamation. Clasha Tanner was voted unanimously as secretary and Dale Floyd was elected vice-chair.