Greenville Board of Adjustments Meeting – March 23, 2017

The Greenville Board of Adjustments met on March 23, 2017, to consider three agenda items: a continued special use permit amendment for an indoor/outdoor flea market, a special use permit for a rooftop deck expansion at a downtown club, and a variance request from Grady White Boats for floodplain elevation requirements. All items were approved after public hearings.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting.

Discussion Items

1. Special Use Permit Amendment – Debbie and Jackie James (Flea Market at 1114 North Green Street)

• This item was continued from the February 23, 2017 meeting to allow the applicant to explore more affordable fencing options.
• Only board members present at the February 23 hearing were allowed to vote on this matter: Mr. Frank, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Moretz, Mr. Faison, and Mr. Bullock (after Mr. Glenn recused himself).
• Staff report: The applicant proposes to amend a previously granted special use permit for an indoor/outdoor flea market. The proposed fence uses wooden posts and yellow-coated metal chains, with delineation of vendor stalls by bricks and painted lines. Conditions include no temporary coverings overnight, daylight operating hours, daily cleanup, and completion of parking improvements within 30 days and fencing within 60 days.
• Applicant Debbie James testified that she agreed to the conditions and provided a chain sample. She stated the alternative fencing is less costly and meets everyone's needs.
• No one spoke in opposition.
• The board voted to accept the findings of fact and then approved the petition with the recommended conditions (vote: unanimous among the five eligible members).

2. Special Use Permit – Sharif Hatun and Travis Hickson (Rooftop Deck at 511 Cotent Street)

• The applicant seeks to expand vertically above the roof of an existing non-conforming use (Still Life club) to create a rooftop open-air deck. This is permitted under a recent text amendment (Ordinance 16-054).
• Staff report: The property is in the downtown commercial district and the Greenville Commercial Historic District. The club is a legal non-conforming use due to the 500-foot separation requirement. The proposal complies with the Horizon 2026 plan.
• Applicant Travis Hickson presented plans for a multi-story rooftop deck with fire pits, lounge seating, and a sports bar theme. The deck will have a 6-foot-high parapet with glass above a 3.5-foot wall. Drainage will be incorporated into a new roof structure. The expansion will have the same footprint as the main floor (approximately 2,800 sq ft plus 1,000 sq ft rear).
• No one spoke in opposition. Staff had no objection.
• The board voted to approve the special use permit without additional conditions (vote: unanimous).

3. Variance Request – Grady White Boats, Inc. (5121 Martin Luther King Jr. Highway)

• The applicant seeks a variance from the city's requirement that new construction in the 100-year floodplain have a finished floor elevation at least two feet above the base flood elevation (BFE). Grady White wants to construct a 50,000 sq ft finishing area and 35,000 sq ft warehouse at one foot above BFE instead of two feet, because a level floor is needed to safely move boats through the facility.
• Staff report: A portion of the proposed expansion lies in the special flood hazard area. Public Works engineer Kathy Myers noted the building is a production facility, not a residence, and staff has no objection. The variance is the first step; the applicant would later seek a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) from FEMA to remove the property from the floodplain.
• Applicant Jim Walker explained that the existing building has a floor elevation 2.2 feet above BFE on the south side, but the highest adjacent BFE (north side) is only 1 foot above the current floor. The variance would allow building at BFE+1 foot. The expansion is expected to add 40 new jobs to the current 290 employees.
• Supporters: Jim Hardin (Grady White employee, 37 years) emphasized safety and efficiency of a level floor. Brad Hofford (Pitt County Development Commission) supported the variance, stating it is critical for the company's expansion and long-term investment.
• No opposition was voiced.
• The board read the variance criteria by reference, including the special flood damage prevention ordinance criteria (Code 9-6-4(G)(8)). A 4/5 majority (6 out of 7) was required.
• The board voted to accept the findings of fact and approved the variance petition (vote: unanimous, 7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (Flea Market): Approved with conditions (fencing, delineation, timing). Voting members: Frank, Johnson, Moretz, Faison, Bullock – all in favor.
• Item 2 (Rooftop Deck): Approved without conditions. All voting members (7) in favor.
• Item 3 (Grady White Variance): Approved. All voting members (7) in favor, meeting the 4/5 requirement.
• The board adjourned after completing the agenda.