Milton's local governance is set to dive into the nitty-gritty of zoning this Tuesday when the Board of Zoning Appeals will review a series of variance requests that, well, are already a done deal in terms of construction. The gathering is set up to be a crowd-pleaser for zoning enthusiasts, with discussions on accessory structures that include everything from sheds to fences — and even a barn that's cozied up too close for comfort to its neighboring property line, according to details made available by the City of Milton.
For those looking to stay connected to every setback and sideline story, the June 18 meeting is all yours to observe. Starting at 6 p.m. sharp in the Council Chambers at City Hall, attendees can make themselves at home or watch the livestream online — a nod towards modern-day transparency, or perhaps, a weighty reminder we're all just a click away from being on the wrong side of a property line. The Board of Zoning Appeal, a quasi-judicial team of seven, appointed by the Mayor and Council, are ready to quickly analyze, and perhaps, to approve, these pre-built paradoxes of planning.
Snippets of information from a prior meeting on June 4 mention that the Design Review Board has already given these issues some thought, sharing insights on the same contentious constructs. Notably, the first item on the agenda concerns a property at 15165 Birmingham Highway, which is essentially applying post-construction permission to have its one-story accessory structure and fence play fast and loose with the boundaries. Think closer front-yard setbacks — 33.1 feet instead of the usual 60 — and an 8-foot high fence that's both taller and less transparent than typically allowed.
Then there's the 1105 Birmingham Road property's barn and shed shuffle, poised to put structures in places they maybe ought not to be — the barn, for instance, is hoping to stay put at 32.9 feet from the property line, boldly defying the 100-foot requirement. Last to bat is 835 Foxhollow Run, which is essentially asking to edge a pool pavilion closer to adjacent properties than the code typically permits, aiming to to reduce setbacks down to 23 and 41.8 feet, a slight nudge from the usual limits.
Those unable to attend the zoning showdown need not fear, with the Board of Zoning Appeal's next meeting already penciled in for July 16. For the complete break-down of what's on the agenda, interested parties can parse through the full list of variance requests — assuming your idea of a good time involves zoning ordinances and setback requirements — by accessing the formal notice on City of Milton's official website.
