The Board of Zoning Appeals hearing officer approved a variance Sept. 29 to allow carriage garages on a separate parcel in the Exmoor section of the Jackson’s Grant subdivision, permitting reduced front and rear setbacks consistent with the original planned‑unit development concept.

Doug Wagner, representing Jackson’s Grant Real Estate Company/Republic Development, told the board that the developer rezoned roughly 300 acres in 2011 and later amended the PUD to accommodate Northern European‑style homes and carriage garages. Wagner said the carriage garages were always intended to sit in narrow blocks fronting private streets and alleys and that the building footprints (approximately 22 to 22 feet 9 inches deep) and a 26‑foot total width of the parcel were designed to maximize that space. He said the carriage garages would be non‑habitable: “they're specifically prohibited from being occupied.”

Planning staff reported the carriage garages will sit on their own parcels, front private street and alley access, and should avoid encroachment into platted easements. Staff said the petitioner had addressed planning and zoning review comments and recommended approval; the Department of Community Services likewise recommended positive consideration. An HOA email in the record indicated no opposition.

The hearing officer approved the variance; the record shows the development team provided utility laterals and service boxes intended to support unoccupied upper‑level workshop or hobby spaces but not living units. No public opposition was recorded at the hearing.