SCBC grants variance requests despite opposition from public

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners recently approved a variance request despite opposition from the public.

Last week, during the Commission’s regular scheduled meeting, County Administrator Phyllis Ayers explained that Brad Carvin is requesting a lot size variance for three parcels located on Old Mill Road, in Eastanollee.

“Property is currently zoned as residential single, proposed action to be taken is to grant a lot size variance for 3 parcels. It’s a total of 2.81 acres. They’ll divide the lot into 3 parcels of .84 acres for a permanent mobile home on each lot,” she said.

Ayers adds that the Stephens County Planning Commission has recommended the Board approve the variance contingent on the three separate septic approvals being approved.

“There are adjacent parcels less than one acre in this area. There were no issues found after some discussion with Brad Carvin, and the Planning Commission has recommended approval,” she said.

During the public hearing portion of the request, Carvin spoke in favor of the variance.

Bruce Watts spoke out against the variance request because his well will be close to the new septic systems.

“I own the property that joins his. I really don’t want the land variance. I don’t want the three septic tanks above my well. Three of them, I think, is just too many too close. To me the wells are 10 foot below level, and the last two lots they’ll be within 40-feet from the well. We also have eight other adjoining wells around the area. Nine times out of 10, when one well gets hit, they all get hit,” Watts said.

Watts continued to explain that there are other neighbors who share his concerns.

“There’s a well on the property that he has cleared now, it’s about 10 to 12-feet away from the property line. So, that one, the church is worried about that one because they use it regularly. The permit part, he still don’t have any permits. He drug a trailer in there with no inspection, risking lives of people running the trailer up the road without any permits. He’s been cited for one infraction, which was a relocation permit, that was the only one that was issued when we checked. I don’t see how he’s got this far without any permits. It doesn’t make any sense to me,” Watts said.

Following the public hearing, Commissioner Michelle Ivester recused herself and Commissioner Debbie Whitlock disclosed that she has a relationship with Carvin’s family.

County Attorney Brian Ranck told Whitlock that she wouldn’t be expected to recuse herself because of that relationship.

A motion approving the variance request was made by Commissioner Dean Scarborough with Whitlock seconding the motion.

The motion was approved 4-0 with Ivester not voting.