The Preston City Council voted to uphold the Planning and Zoning Commission’s approval of a variance allowing a reduced paved width for a flag-lot access serving property owned by Jason Seaman.

City Development Director Sean Alverson presented the request, saying the variance would modify a standard that requires a minimum paved width of 18 feet for flag-lot routes with two-foot landscape strips on each side. He said the subject property is approximately 2.4 acres in a single-family residential zone and has historically been used for agricultural purposes. Alverson said planning staff found no inconsistency with the comprehensive plan and that Planning and Zoning recommended approval with conditions, including a restriction limiting development to a single dwelling unit.

Council members discussed utility access along the flagged access strip. One council member asked whether the access serves as the only utility corridor for sewer, water and power and noted that a gravel drive could make future utility work easier; Alverson confirmed the utilities run in the 22-foot strip and that access is constrained.

A motion to uphold Planning and Zoning’s decision was made and seconded. The council recorded four aye votes and the mayor announced the motion carried. The council clarified on the record that the variance applies only to the current home and that the Planning and Zoning conditions (including the prohibition on additional dwelling units) remain in effect.

Planning staff had noted concerns about very large trees along the access and whether paving would impact them; Planning and Zoning considered those circumstances as part of their findings in recommending approval with conditions.

Action: Motion to uphold the Planning and Zoning decision on the Jason Seaman variance — approved (motion carries).