During a recent meeting of the San Miguel County Board of Adjustment, a variance application was discussed that could significantly impact a residential property located at 30 Stella Drive, southwest of Placerville. The applicants, Clay and Mary Orendas, represented by their son Henry, are seeking to reduce the rear yard setback from 20 feet to just 5 feet to allow for the construction of a garage and a screen porch on their 13.6-acre parcel, which is zoned for forestry and agriculture.

The proposal has raised concerns among neighbors, particularly the Samuelsons, who expressed worries about construction staging on Geyser Drive, which they described as unsafe and inconvenient for other property owners. They requested that any future staging related to the construction on the Orendas' property not occur on or adjacent to Geyser Drive.

The Board of Adjustment reviewed the application, noting that the property’s topography and narrowness limit alternative building sites. The county building official, Matt Gonzales, emphasized that any structure built within 5 feet of the property line must comply with specific building codes.

If approved, the variance would apply solely to the proposed garage and screen porch, with conditions including a requirement for a development permit and a prohibition on staging on Geyser Drive. The approval would remain valid for three years, ensuring that the Orendas adhere to the agreed-upon conditions.

The meeting highlighted the importance of community input in local development decisions, as the Board seeks to balance the needs of property owners with the concerns of neighboring residents. The outcome of this variance application will be closely watched by the community, as it reflects broader issues of land use and neighborly cooperation in San Miguel County.