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A residential structure located at 7622 South Quay Rd that was damaged by a fire in 2020 could have a new life with City Council’s approval of a conditional use permit needed to make repairs.

Council held a public hearing at its Jan. 18 meeting to hear comments on restoring the nonconforming residential structure that was originally constructed in 1949.

“In 2020, three years ago, the property experienced a fire. This fire significantly damaged the property,” Interim Director of Planning and Community Development Kevin Wyne said at the meeting.

The assessed value for the existing structure is $71,000 per the City of Suffolk real estate assessor, while the proposed renovation cost would be $169,000, which obviously exceeds the 50% of the structure’s assessed value, Wyne explained.

“When you have these, what we call legal non-conforming structures, when repairs exceed that 50%, you’re required to go through this process and obtain a CUP,” he said.

In a unanimous 8-0 vote at a December meeting, the Planning Commission approved the application, sending the conditional use permit request onto City Council for its consideration.

There was no opposition to the ordinance during the hearing.

As it relates to this structure, Wyne what makes it non-conforming is the setbacks in the agricultural zoning district.

“A front setback of 50-feet is required in the minimum in the agricultural zoning district and 20-feet for a side yard setback in accordance with the UDO [United Development Ordinance],” he told council “The house, as it was constructed, encroaches into both of those setbacks, the front and the side, thus necessitating this process.”

Council approved the needed CUP on a unanimous 7-0 vote. Councilmember Shelley Butler-Barlow was unable to attend the meeting and was excused.