City of Greenville Board of Adjustment Meeting - October 26, 2020

Note: The transcript opening states the meeting is the "October 22nd meeting," but the provided meeting date is October 26, 2020. This summary uses the provided date.

The City of Greenville Board of Adjustment held a remote public hearing on October 26, 2020, at 7:30 PM, chaired by Michael Glenn. The board considered three special use permit applications: a tattoo shop, a mobile home placement, and a child drop-in daycare facility. All three applications were approved unanimously. Board member Stephen Atkinson was absent due to a death in the family; his absence was excused. Chair Glenn recused himself from the third item due to an ownership interest in the property.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the September 24, 2020 meeting were approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

Item 1: Special Use Permit – Tattoo Shop (Bruce and Kyle Ellsworth)

• Applicant Location: 3193 East 10th Street, Suite A (tax parcel 1649).
• Staff Report (Elizabeth Blunt): The property is 2.18 acres, zoned CH (Heavy Commercial), with a 750 sq ft unit requested. Staff recommended conditions including health department permits, sanitation compliance, and no loitering.
• Applicant Testimony (Kyle Ellsworth): The applicant, a tattoo artist with three years of experience and a one-year apprenticeship, chose the location for high visibility and proximity to ECU. He presented CPR and bloodborne pathogens certifications. He noted Greenville has ~95,000 residents and 10 tattoo shops vs. Jacksonville (75,000 residents, 30 shops). He committed to COVID-19 safety protocols (masks, temperature checks, sanitization). Bruce Ellsworth added they have been working with the health department.
• Board Questions: None.
• Staff Recommendation: No objection with conditions.
• Board Vote: Unanimous approval of findings of fact and petition.

Item 2: Special Use Permit – Mobile Home Placement (Gentry Russo for Excel Contractors)

• Applicant Location: 1650 Sandstone Court (tax parcel 46784) in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).
• Staff Report (Elizabeth Blunt): The property is 0.46 acres, zoned RA20 (Residential Agricultural), located in the 100-year floodplain. Staff recommended a floodplain development permit finished floor elevation 2.0 feet above base flood elevation.
• Applicant Testimony (Gentry Russo): The applicant is a general contractor for the rebuild NC program, replacing 70 mobile home units statewide. The lot has already been prepped and flood elevation markers set.
• Board Comments: Ann Bellis noted the road (Sandstone Court) is in very poor condition and asked for guidance. Attorney Phillips and staff clarified it is a private street; maintenance is the responsibility of the HOA or residents. No opposition to the application.
• Staff Recommendation: No objection with conditions.
• Board Vote: Unanimous approval of findings of fact and petition.

Item 3: Special Use Permit – Child Daycare (Drop-in Care) (Andrew Davis III)

• Recusal: Chair Michael Glenn recused himself due to ownership interest in the property. Vice Chair Rodney Bullock presided. John LaDrene became a voting member.
• Applicant Location: 1716 West Fifth Street (tax parcel 17562).
• Staff Report (Elizabeth Blunt): The property is 0.42 acres, zoned CDF (Downtown Commercial Fringe). The use is a drop-in child care facility, not a licensed daycare. Under NC General Statute 110-862D, parents must be easily accessible and care is not employment-related. Staff recommended conditions: no outdoor activities; children must remain inside; must obtain applicable licensing; no conversion to full daycare without new permit.
• Applicant Testimony (Andrew Davis III): He identified a need for drop-in care, especially during the pandemic for remote learning and appointments. He noted similar services exist on the other side of Greenville. He asked about outdoor recreation; staff clarified it is not allowed under drop-in care, and he accepted.
• Planner Testimony (Leanne Friesen, AICP): She assisted with the application and affirmed that all special use criteria were addressed.
• Board Questions: Clarification on "easily accessible" (parents can be on-site or reachable by phone). Applicant confirmed use aligns with statute.
• Staff Recommendation: No objection with conditions.
• Board Vote: Unanimous approval of findings of fact and petition.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved.
• Item 1 (Tattoo Shop): Unanimously approved with staff conditions.
• Item 2 (Mobile Home): Unanimously approved with floodplain conditions.
• Item 3 (Drop-in Child Care): Unanimously approved with conditions (no outdoor activities, licensing requirements).
• The meeting adjourned after all business.