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Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Agenda Packet, July 15, 2026

Denies Conditional use for halfway house at 1493 University Avenue (Abundant Life), 2-1

3h 3m24,390 words
192 mentionszoningconditional usevariancepublic hearingapproveddeniedland useresidentialcommercialoverlay districttableddensityMorgantown, WV
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What happened

The Morgantown Board of Zoning Appeals DENIED conditional use CON 26-052 for Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network's proposed 30-33 bed halfway/recovery house at 1493 University Avenue on a 2-1 vote, finding the applicant failed to demonstrate the most appropriate use of land an…

Meeting key facts
Jurisdiction
Morgantown, WV
Governing body
Final authority
Date
July 15, 2026
Decisions
4 zoning decisions
Outcome
Denied, 2-1

Projects in this meeting (4)

Belmar Sign

Approved
1 condition of approval
Open this projectFollow free

1493 University Avenue

Denied 2-1
Open this projectFollow free

Advantage Health

Approved
5 conditions of approval
Open this projectFollow free

University Parking

Denied
Open this projectFollow free

Free sample: decision 1 of 4

Parking lot variance at 699 Burroughs Street (Advantage Health)

Advantage Health sought variance relief from sections 1365 and 1367 regarding parking lot island/landscaping requirements and to allow gravel instead of concrete/asphalt for a temporary loop road behind the building, in the B2 service business district. Related to DOH condemnation on Van Voorhis affecting the property entrance. Findings of fact and variance both approved.

  • Standard condition - any modification/change to site plan must comply with city ordinance or return to BZA
  • Variance granted for two years or six months after civil condemnation case (Civil Action 23-P-214) concludes, whichever is longer
  • Extension/modification of temporary variance may be approved by planning subject to review and administrative check-ins at one-year intervals following expiration
  • Subject to consultation with impacted parties; planning will advise on any required subsequent variances
  • Applicant to provide documentation of land use agreement with neighboring parcel owner

The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.

Meeting Summary

The Morgantown Board of Zoning Appeals DENIED conditional use CON 26-052 for Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network's proposed 30-33 bed halfway/recovery house at 1493 University Avenue on a 2-1 vote, finding the applicant failed to demonstrate the most appropriate use of land an…

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Key Decisions (4)

Approved

Parking lot variance at 699 Burroughs Street (Advantage Health)

Vote: unanimousConditions attached
Approved

Sign variance at 200 Belmar Avenue (Matt Wise)

Vote: unanimousConditions attached
Denied

Conditional use for halfway house at 1493 University Avenue (Abundant Life)

Vote: 2-1
Other

Parking variance at 1493 University Avenue mooted (Abundant Life)

Vote: unanimous

Development Activity (2)

Advantage Health temporary loop road / parking at 699 Burroughs Street

Commercial

Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network - 1493 University Avenue recovery house

Residential

Market Signals (5)

Housing Demand

Abundant Life reports a waiting list of over 70 people…

Sentiment

Strong neighborhood and institutional opposition (WVU, St. John Parish, county…

Commercial Demand

Multiple parties (Abundant Life, St. John's for a Catholic dorm,…

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Who Spoke (20)

StaffAttorneyApplicantApplicant's RepPublic · 9

On the record: a staff member, an attorney, the applicant, the applicant's representative, and 9 members of the public.

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Agenda scorecard

ZoneWire called 9 of 15 land-use forecasts on this agenda.

699 Burroughs St variance

District District 15
ApprovedZoneWire called it
freeApproved5 conditions of approval
5 conditions, the audio at the vote, and this case's history
See it in ProStart a free 7-day trial, then $39/mo

200 Belmar Ave variance

District District 13
ApprovedZoneWire called it
freeApproved1 condition of approval
1 condition, the audio at the vote, and this case's history
See it in ProStart a free 7-day trial, then $39/mo

699 Burroughs St variance

District District 15
ApprovedZoneWire called it
freeApproved5 conditions of approval
5 conditions, the audio at the vote, and this case's history
See it in ProStart a free 7-day trial, then $39/mo

699 Burroughs St variance

District District 15
ApprovedZoneWire called it
freeApproved5 conditions of approval
5 conditions, the audio at the vote, and this case's history
See it in ProStart a free 7-day trial, then $39/mo

699 Burroughs St variance

Advantage Health **Case Manager:** Sailor Thompson, Zoning Administrator **Attachments:** ApplicationDistrict District 15
ApprovedZoneWire called it
freeApproved5 conditions of approval
5 conditions, the audio at the vote, and this case's history
See it in ProStart a free 7-day trial, then $39/mo

699 Burroughs Street variance

ApprovedZoneWire called it
freeApproved5 conditions of approval
5 conditions, the audio at the vote, and this case's history
See it in ProStart a free 7-day trial, then $39/mo

200 Belmar Ave variance

Matt Wise **Case Manager:** Sailor Thompson, Zoning Administrator **Attachments:** ApplicationDistrict District 13
ApprovedZoneWire called it
freeApproved1 condition of approval
1 condition, the audio at the vote, and this case's history
See it in ProStart a free 7-day trial, then $39/mo

200 Belmar Avenue variance

ApprovedZoneWire called it
freeApproved1 condition of approval
1 condition, the audio at the vote, and this case's history
See it in ProStart a free 7-day trial, then $39/mo

More land-use items (44)

  • 200 Belmar Avenue variance
    Approvedcalled it
  • 1493 University Ave variance
    Denied 2-1missed
  • 1493 University Ave conditional use permit
    Denied 2-1missed
  • 1493 University Ave variance
    Denied 2-1missed
  • 1493 University Avenue variance
    Denied 2-1missed
  • 1493 University Avenue variance
    Denied 2-1missed
  • 1493 University Ave conditional use permit
    Denied 2-1missed
37 items with no recorded vote on this agenda
  • 227 Spruce St conditional use permit
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **APPLICANT STATEMENT** Grace Hutchins, proprietor of Apothecary Ale House & Café……
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **MOTION** Findings of fact were approved unanimously 4-0-0 Benison moved to…
    No vote recorded
  • 451 Winsley St variance
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **PUBLIC HEARING** Mark Downs spoke in support of the project, commenting that he……
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **BOARD DISCUSSION** granting the variance
    No vote recorded
  • 15 Court St variance
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **MOTION** seconded variance
    No vote recorded
  • 395 Laurel St variance
    No vote recorded
  • 1001 Ice Circle site plan
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **MOTION** seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously 4-0-0…
    No vote recorded
  • 318 Wilson Ave variance
    No vote recorded
  • 2188 University Ave variance
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **MOTION** was seconded by Martin variance
    No vote recorded
  • 649 Villa Pl variance
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **MOTION** seconded the motion variance
    No vote recorded
  • 511 Brian Pl variance
    No vote recorded
  • 1137 Munsey Ave variance
    No vote recorded
  • 1137 Munsey Ave variance
    No vote recorded
  • 1137 Munsey Ave variance
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **MOTION** the motion variance
    No vote recorded
  • 344 High St conditional use permit
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **<mark>Background and Analysis</mark>** The applicant is seeking a variance…
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **Sec variance
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **<mark>Staf Recommendation</mark>** 30 of 69 BZA Meeting Packet July 15, 2026 It……
    No vote recorded
  • 1 variance
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **<mark>Staf Enhanced Site Location and Site Plan</mark>** _Source: City of…
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **<mark>Background and Analysis</mark>** The applicant is seeking a variance…
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **<mark>Staf Recommendation</mark>** It is the duty of the Board of Zoning…
    No vote recorded
  • 1 variance
    No vote recorded
  • ##### **<mark>Case Summary Report</mark>** _Report run: 7/13/2026 8:14:45 PM_ ||**Case……
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **<mark>Staf Enhanced Site Location and Site Plan</mark>** _Source: City of…
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **<mark>Background and Analysis</mark>** The applicant is seeking a variance…
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **<mark>Staf Recommendation</mark>** It is the duty of the Board of Zoning…
    No vote recorded
  • **1.** Planning and Zoning Code or the applicant shall seek variance relief from the…
    No vote recorded
  • ##### **<mark>Case Summary Report</mark>** _Report run: 7/13/2026 8:03:50 PM_ ||**Case……
    No vote recorded
  • ###### **<mark>Staf Enhanced Site Location and Site Plan</mark>** _Source: City of…
    No vote recorded

Meeting Intelligence Preview

5
Market Signals
20
Speakers

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