Council approves variance allowing development of lot at 65 McCurdy with recorded shared-access easement

Villarrica’s council voted Sept. 9 to approve a variance request that will allow development of an otherwise landlocked lot at 65 McCurdy by reducing the minimum lot-frontage requirement from 50 feet to 12.5 feet. Planning and zoning administrator Sean Myers told council the lot was subdivided previously and lacks frontage on McCurdy; it is accessed by a gravel driveway that crosses two other lots and currently measures about 12.5 feet at the street frontage. Staff recommended approval with three conditions: maintain at least a 12-foot-wide gravel drive at the frontage to ensure emergency access; record and preserve a shared ingress/egress easement before permitting; and comply with all applicable building, fire-life-safety and zoning codes. Applicant Maria Almonte, who spoke through an interpreter and said she had been working with the city for months on the permit, told council she wants to build a home on the lot and is willing to record the easement and meet code requirements. Council moved to approve the variance subject to the staff conditions; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Staff noted the property owner has signed a proposed 20-foot easement in the submitted case documents, but that the easement must be recorded before any building permits are issued. Council’s approval is limited to the variance and the stated conditions; any construction remains subject to permitting and code review.