**CLAY** — A local police officer’s request to conduct federal firearms transfers from his Norstar Boulevard apartment was put on hold Monday night after he told the Zoning Board of Appeals he had not secured permission from his landlord. The board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to Oct. 13, giving the applicant time to provide a letter of approval from the property owner. The applicant, David Meleski, appeared before the board to seek a Special Use Permit for his apartment at 4764 Norstar Blvd. According to the meeting minutes, Meleski explained he is a police officer, U.S. Army veteran, and firearm instructor seeking a Federal Firearms License (FL). He told the board the license would allow him to receive firearms and conduct transfers for online purchases for himself, friends, and family. During the questioning, Chairperson Vivian Mason asked if Meleski had a gun safe in the apartment, which he confirmed. When asked if customers would come to the apartment, he stated they would. Deputy Chairperson Karen Liebi raised the issue of property ownership, asking specifically if Meleski had permission from Norstar Apartments to operate a home occupation involving firearms. Meleski stated that while the management knows of his profession and that he owns firearms, they were unaware of this specific request. Mason advised Meleski that a letter of approval from the property owner would be required before the board could make a decision. The board will revisit Case #1986 at its next meeting scheduled for Oct. 13. **Shed and Fence Variances Approved** In other business, the board granted a series of area variances to a homeowner on Audrey Drive who needed to replace a deteriorating shed that had been on the property for decades. Jim Williamson of 5085 Audrey Drive told the board he purchased the home 25 years ago with the shed already in place. The structure has since rusted and begun to leak, prompting the need for a replacement. Williamson applied for variances to reduce the front yard setback for the new shed from the required 25.42 feet to 22 feet. He also requested a reduction to 6 feet for the shed's location and a variance to increase the allowable fence height in the front yard from 2.5 feet to 6 feet. He argued that due to an existing in-ground pool, fencing, and shrubbery, the shed was the only viable location for the structure. "I do not believe the requested Area Variances will create an undesirable change to the character of the neighborhood but would improve the appearance," Williamson told the board, addressing the Standards of Proof. Regarding the fence, Williamson clarified that a previous chain-link fence had been removed and replaced with a 6-foot plastic fence. He stated he was not looking to make new changes but rather to bring the existing fence into compliance. Neighbor Janet Rathburn of Freestone Road asked about the pool during the public comment portion. Attorney Neil Germain noted that the fence was pre-existing. Following a closed public hearing where no public opposition was voiced, board member David Porter made a motion to approve the variances. The board voted 5-0 in favor, with the condition that the construction be in substantial compliance with Exhibit “A.” The meeting was adjourned at 6:18 p.m.