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Board approves side-setback and driveway variances for Pretty Branch rebuild
Summary
A homeowner rebuilding on Pretty Branch Drive received approval to reduce a northern side setback and shorten a driveway setback to permit a side-entry garage; staff said the new footprint improves an existing nonconforming condition and cited nearby precedent.
On Sept. 24 the License and Variance Board approved two variances for a property at 3357 Pretty Branch Drive that will allow a rebuilt single-family house with a side-entry garage. Caitlin Crowe, Land Services development coordinator for Community Development, told the board the applicant, Nick Vinson, will demolish an existing house and rebuild in roughly the same location to limit land disturbance. To accommodate a side-entry garage and turning radius while keeping the existing curb cut, staff recommended reducing the northern side setback from 12 feet to 8 feet (V25‑090) and the driveway setback from 5 feet to 2 feet (V25‑091).
Crowe said the existing home, built in 1955, encroached more into the side setback than the proposed new foundation; moving the foundation slightly improves the nonconforming condition. She also cited recent, similar variances approved nearby in 2023 and 2024 as precedent. The board approved both variances with two staff conditions: substantial compliance with the submitted site plan and elevations, and replacement of any curb damaged during construction prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
Applicant Nick Vinson confirmed he understood and accepted the conditions. There were no public comments on these items, and both motions passed unanimously.
Background: Crowe described the planned home as roughly a half-acre lot build with four bedrooms and three bathrooms on the lower floor and a small second-floor theater. The change to the driveway setback is intended to preserve the existing curb cut while allowing safe access into a side-entry garage.
