Jefferson County BZA approves side-yard variance for Sunnyside Road garage, rejects new rear encroachment

The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Adjustment on an undisclosed date approved a variance reducing a side-yard setback from 20 feet to 11 feet for petition BOA25003, a request tied to a proposed detached garage at 2630 Sunnyside Road in Festus. The property owner agreed to retain the existing 4-foot rear setback for the replacement structure, so the board did not grant an additional reduction to the rear setback.

County planning staff told the board the petition sought relief from the Unified Development Order (UDO), chapter 400, requiring a 50-foot rear-yard setback and 20-foot side-yard setbacks in LR-2 (Large Lot Residential) zoning. Staff’s written analysis recommended denial, noting an existing lawfully nonconforming structure sits four feet from the rear property line, the UDO’s replacement clause allows rebuilding in the same place within…