Board of Adjustment unanimously approves front-yard variance for Helms four-car garage

The City of Wildwood Board of Adjustment on April 17 unanimously approved a variance allowing James and Katie Helms to construct a four-car attached garage and second-story storage area at 18402 Woodland Meadows Drive with a 47-foot front-yard setback in lieu of the 50 feet required by the zoning code.

The variance request, filed as BA-8-25, was a renewal of an identical approval granted by the board on Sept. 19, 2024. Planner Robin Keith told the board the petitioner contacted the Department of Planning before the earlier variance expired and requested more time to finalize building plans.

The department’s presentation described the subject lot as part of Woodland Meadows subdivision, zoned nonurban residence district, with a private roadway easement and varied topography. Keith said the addition would encroach roughly 3 feet beyond the recorded building line and that the petitioner provided signatures representing the required two-thirds written consent of subdivision homeowners where the subdivision indentures require it for a permanent garage facing the road.

Katie Helms, one of the homeowners, testified under oath that the project would provide parking for vehicles and additional storage: “We’re requesting the setback be changed from 50 feet to 47 feet … in order to accommodate building a 4 car garage,” she said. The board asked a few clarifying questions about whether conditions had been attached to the prior approval; the planner said there were none and that an approval letter is in the packet.

Board member Kevin Lux moved to approve; Bob Morris seconded. Chair Jared Frank, Morris, Lux and board member Arnie Sprung voted yes. Because four members were present, the board required a unanimous vote for approval and recorded the variance as approved.

The applicant has six months from the date of approval to obtain the necessary permits or the variance will expire, as stated at the meeting.