The Greenwood Board of Zoning Appeals on Oct. 13 approved a three-part variance allowing a corner-lot fence at 202 West Whiteman Street and approved a use variance permitting a one-station home salon at 712 Old Horseville Road, while denying three sign variances requested by Grace Assembly of God (now calling itself Grace House) for its campus at 6822 North U.S. 31.

The actions matter to nearby residents and property owners because they change what is allowed at specific addresses — a corner-lot privacy fence that departs from the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), a home-based business in a residential-large zoning district subject to conditions, and proposed larger directional and monument signage that the board found did not meet the standards for a variance.

Catherine Woodward, the petitioner for 202 West Whiteman Street, told the board the existing fence provides “safety, privacy, and property security” and that the fence was installed before she purchased the house. Planning staff noted the fence does not meet the UDO’s standards and had recommended denial, but the board voted to approve three variances to allow: (1) a fence within 2 feet of the sidewalk, (2) a fence up to 6 feet in the front yard, and (3) a front-yard fence with less than 50% transparency. The board admitted all evidence into the record, directed the corporation counsel to draft written findings, and recorded final motions as carried 5–0; the board will take final action at its next meeting.

Tom Hopkins of Science Solutions represented Grace House in requesting three sign variances for campus wayfinding and a monument sign. Hopkins said the signs were designed to match a campus rebranding and that larger signs were chosen for aesthetics and legibility. Planning staff recommended denial of all three variances, saying the petitioners had not demonstrated the required practical difficulty under the UDO. Board members agreed: “The practical difficulties has not even remotely been met,” said Member Peterson. The board denied all three sign requests by recorded motions; each denial carried 5–0 and staff was directed to have the corporation counsel prepare findings reflecting the denials.

Petitioner Kimberly Chris sought a use variance to operate a single-station salon from her home at 712 Old Horseville Road after losing the use of an offsite facility. Planning staff supported the request with five recommended conditions; Chris confirmed she accepted those conditions. The board approved the use variance with the five conditions: (1) no more than one salon station, (2) no alteration to the external appearance of the residence to accommodate the use, (3) no expansion of off-street parking to accommodate the use or creation of additional parking burden, (4) no exterior sign advertising the home occupation, and (5) hours limited so no clients arrive or enter before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. The motion to approve carried 5–0, and the board directed counsel to draft written findings for adoption at the next meeting.

Earlier in the meeting the board adopted written findings of fact as its final action for four development-standards variance petitions (BZA2025-028, -031, -032 and -033), each by unanimous votes. The meeting concluded with routine calendar approval and procedural items.

Votes at a glance

- BZA2025-028 (variance for property at 795 N. Emerson Ave.; adopt findings of fact): approved; motion by Mr. Moll, second by Ms. Peterson; tally 5–0.
- BZA2025-031 (development standards variance for 2350 Inters Place): approved; motion by Mr. Milburn, second by Mr. Moll; tally 5–0.
- BZA2025-032 (development standards variance for 1499 American Way): approved; motion by Mr. King, second by Mr. Moll; tally 5–0.
- BZA2025-033 (development standards variance for Holmes Road block): approved; motion by Ms. Peterson, second by Mr. Milburn; tally 5–0.
- VCA2025-026 (fence variances, 202 West Whiteman St.): three variances approved (allow fence within 2 ft of sidewalk; allow up to 6 ft in front yard; allow front-yard fence <50% transparent); motions carried 5–0; corporation counsel directed to draft findings; final action scheduled at next meeting.
- ECA2025-035 (Grace House, 6822 N. U.S. 31 — directional/monument sign variances): three variances denied (directional sign height/area variances; monument sign base waiver); motions to deny carried 5–0; corporation counsel directed to draft findings reflecting denials.
- BTA2025-036 (use variance, 712 Old Horseville Rd. — home occupation salon): approved with five staff conditions (one station; no exterior alteration; no additional parking; no exterior sign; client hours between 8 a.m.–8 p.m.); motion by Mr. King, second by Mr. Moll; tally 5–0; corporation counsel directed to draft findings.

Board process and next steps

The board admitted documentary and photographic evidence for the contested dockets and consistently directed the corporation counsel to prepare written findings of fact for formal adoption at the board’s next meeting. Several petitioners were told they need not attend the next meeting for final adoption of the findings. The board did not indicate any appeals or litigation related to the decisions on the record at this meeting.

For residents: the meeting records identify the specific properties and petition numbers; any party seeking to challenge a decision should consult the board’s filed findings when they are published and note statutory appeal timelines.