Mecklenburg County zoning officials approved a front-setback variance for a property on Antlers Road, allowing a proposed house to be placed 80 feet from the road where the ordinance requires 100 feet. The property, identified in the hearing materials as county tax map number 15300000A69A, parcel record 31729, is zoned agricultural and located on the west side of Route 678 (Antlers Road) about a half-mile north of Redlawn Road. Why it matters: county staff who inspected the site told the hearing they had to place the proposed dwelling closer to the road because a steep drop and ravine lie behind the proposed house site; staff also said the property already has an on-site well and septic system, limiting alternative placement. A zoning official who presented the application said, "he already has his well and septic tank in," and that the combination of slope and site utilities left the requested building location as the only feasible option. The board took a motion to approve the variance; the motion was seconded and the variance was approved by voice vote. Distinction of record: staff described site conditions (slope, ravine, well and septic) as the justification for the variance; the board's approval was a formal action at the hearing. Clarifying details recorded at the hearing: the requested front setback was described in the hearing packet as 80 feet from the building setback line, measured from the center line of the right-of-way, to permit a single-wide or similar residence on the site. The record notes the parcel totals about 9 acres and that the requested siting follows existing on-site utilities.