Greenville Board of Adjustment Meeting - October 26, 2023
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Greenville Board of Adjustment Meeting - October 26, 2023
The Greenville Board of Adjustment convened at 6:00 PM on October 26, 2023, to consider three old business items (proposed decisions) and four new business public hearings. All items were approved with conditions. The board voted unanimously on each matter, with voting members varying per agenda item.
Approval of Minutes
- The minutes from July 27, 2023, and August 24, 2023, were approved unanimously.
Old Business
- Gaskins Land Surveying, P.A. (Variance Denied) – BOA 23-17: The board unanimously adopted the proposed decision and order denying the variance. Voting members: Evans, Cohen, Purdle, Worrell, Bass.
- Desai Partners, LLC (Special Use Permit Granted) – BOA 23-20: The board unanimously adopted the decision granting a special use permit for a fast-food restaurant. Same voting members as above.
- Richard P. and Meredith Rizzuti (Special Use Permit Modified) – BOA 23-22: The board unanimously adopted the decision modifying the existing special use permit. Voting members: Evans, Lilly, Cohen, Purdle, Worrell.
New Business – Public Hearings
1. Hookah Café – Ibrahim Abulabda (Special Use Permit)
- The applicant sought a special use permit for a hookah café at 605-B SE Greenville Blvd. Staff reported two existing hookah lounges in Greenville and stated the location meets the 1/4-mile separation requirement. The applicant described a coffee/smoothie and hookah café with no alcohol or food, hours 12 PM–10/11 PM. No opposition. Staff recommended approval with conditions (fire code compliance, no live entertainment, no outdoor activities, etc.). The board voted unanimously to approve with staff conditions.
2. Parking Variance – Credit Sense Home Investors, LLC (Variance)
- The applicant requested a variance of one parking space (from required four) for a duplex at 109 Paris Avenue. A licensed surveyor (expert witness) testified that only three spaces could be accommodated due to lot constraints, and a fourth space would be unusable or require additional variances. Staff recommended approval. The board unanimously found all four variance criteria met (unnecessary hardship, peculiar property condition, hardship not self-created, consistency with spirit of regulation) and approved the variance with conditions. A 4/5 vote (6 of 7) was required; all 7 voting members (Lilly, Evans, Cohen, Purdle, Worrell, Bass, McNair) voted aye.
3. Mobile Home – Clayton Homes (Special Use Permit)
- The applicant sought a special use permit to place a double-wide mobile home at 64 Briley Road. The property is zoned RA20 and is in compliance with the future land use plan. Staff recommended approval. An email from Leon Hopkins (heir to adjacent property) was received but the board voted (unanimously) not to consider it because it was hearsay and not under oath. The board unanimously approved the permit with conditions (compliance with fire and building codes).
4. Fraternity/Sorority House – William Joseph Davis, IV (Special Use Permit)
- The applicant sought a permit to operate a fraternity or sorority house at 431 W. 5th Street. The property is a historic 1905 home (former administrative office for city schools and later a battered women’s shelter). The applicant’s attorney described the proposed use for 18 residents, with parking for 22–25 vehicles. Supporters included an ECU faculty member (testified to responsible Greek life oversight) and two real estate experts (who testified the renovation would enhance property values). No opposition. Staff recommended approval with conditions (site plan approval and building code compliance). Two board members disclosed ties to nearby Greek organizations but were allowed to remain after motions passed. The board unanimously approved the permit with conditions.
Key Outcomes
- All five applications (three old business decisions and two variances/three special use permits) were approved with staff-recommended conditions. All votes were unanimous.
- The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 16, 2023 (no cases currently on the agenda, pending confirmation).
- The meeting adjourned after announcements.
Meeting Transcript
Well, we didn't have much sound, but hello everyone. Welcome to the meeting. The meeting will now come to order. Welcome to the October 26th, 2023 meeting of the City of Greenville Board of Adjustments. Ms. Clerk, would you please call the roll? Sharon Evans. Here. Christopher Leely. Here. Nathan Collins. Here. Daniel Warrell. Here. Brian Purdle. Here. Jermaine McNair. Here. Tanya Foreman. Carol Bass. Here. And Sterling Ruffin. Here. We have quorum. Thank you. Mr. Phyllis, would you please state the voting members for the meeting tonight? Yes. Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board. The voting members for all agenda items except I uh old business items number two, three, and four, which we'll go over those individually, but all other my matters uh including the new business matters will be the voting members will be as follows. Mr. Lily, Miss Evans, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Purdle, Mr. Worrell, Miss Bast, and Mr. McNair. Mr. Ruffin is not a voting member, but is allowed to participate in the discussions and is allowed to ask questions. And again, when we get to the old business two, three, and four, we'll go over each one individually, madam chair, if that's okay. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Phillips. Is there a motion to approve last month's meeting minutes? Is there a second to that motion? Okay. It's been moved. Sorry. We have July and August. Okay, so let's retract that statement. So board members, is there a motion to approve July and August and September meeting minutes?
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