(Chatham) — Pittsylvania County officials are rejecting a proposal from the developer of Southside Lofts to subdivide the property.
County Planning Director Emily Ragsdale told the County Board of Zoning Appeals Monday that Landmark Assets needs to separate the residential portion of the former Blairs Middle School and the commercial portion in order to qualify for a state loan.
Their proposal would run the new property boundary between the gymnasium at the former Blairs Middle School building and the rest of the structure. That would split the building into adjacent parcels, and Ragsdale says that would violate the county’s Zoning Code. “They were unable to meet the side setback requirements in the residential multi-family zoning district,” Ragsdale told the Board of Zoning Appeals. “So their plat was denied.”
BZA Chairman Ronald Merricks says he had no issues with the plan, but the code is the code. “It’s our job to interpret the ordinance and apply it as written. And it’s pretty obvious the setback requirement of ten feet. And this is is zero feet,” Merricks said.
The 51-unit Southside Lofts features 1, 2, and 3 bedroom loft-style units. They opened back in December.
Landmark Assets can appeal the BZA’s decision to a district court judge.