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structure was that it needed to be designed to meet the required wind loads. She continues that <br />when she started working on the site plan for the project, the placement of the carport triggered <br />the variances. Ms. Caffey said she was unaware of how the situation started, but she was hired to <br />assist him with this carport he thought he could build and had made herself available to help him <br />as she can. Lastly, Ms. Caffey explained that with this being an older, corner lot the owner is at a <br />disadvantage since it is already non -conforming as it is. <br />Mr. Walker asked Ms. Caffey if the structure was built to her design to which she responded that <br />she was not involved yet when he put that carport up. The owner had contacted her after <br />receiving the stop work order. <br />Ms. Alsobrook asked Ms. Caffey if she believes the structure that the owner built is safe, and <br />Ms. Caffey replied that she did not believe it is as it exists currently. If the owner were able to <br />move forward with obtaining a permit she would assist him in making it more structurally sound. <br />Mr. Walker stated that the subject lot is an older, sub -standard lot that is not platted like several <br />others in the City of Paris. He went on to say that there have been other lots that have come to <br />the board for variances on things like width, depth, and size, but not plats, so he was concerned <br />about denying the variances because the lot is not platted when there are other properties without <br />plats that have built accessory structures. Mr. Mack then explained that this lot is only 4,500SF, <br />which is at the cusp of the smallest sized lots that will be considered in the new ordinance. Since <br />it is so small it is more difficult to ensure that the minimum setbacks and requirements are met to <br />maintain proper distances between other homes and lots. <br />Mr. Sanders asked for clarification as to whether if even one of the variances was not approved <br />then no building permit could be issued. Mr. Mack confirmed that fact and stated again that if the <br />Board were to approve any of the variances, it would have to provide its own findings of fact to <br />support its decisions. Mr. Sanders asked what the property owner's options would be if all of the <br />variances were denied. Mr. Mack deferred to the City attorney. <br />Ms. Harris stated that what is before the board is the decision of whether or not it is appropriate <br />to approve all eight variances and she does not believe it is material to their decision of what <br />happens after that. Having said that, she stated that she would have to look further into the issue <br />to know whether the structure would have to be removed. Ms. Bruce stated that she disagreed <br />and that she believed it should be material to their decision since it could cause economic <br />hardship to the property owner to have to remove the structure Ms. Harris reminded the Board <br />that economic hardship was not a proper basis for a variance. <br />Mr. Walker stated that the Board could potentially approve the variances with conditions to meet <br />the appropriate building requirements and make the carport structurally sound and code <br />compliant along with the City's recommendation. <br />Mr. Haning stated that there would be no easy way for the property owner to meet all of the <br />required conditions since the lot is small and overbuilt to begin with. <br />