Board approves variance to split 18‑acre RSF‑4 lot on South City Lake Road, conditions include fire‑access improvements

On April 7, 2025 the Fayetteville Board of Adjustment approved a variance that would allow property owners Dave and Rosa Rosengarten to split an approximately 18.01‑acre RSF‑4 (residential single‑family, 4 units/acre) parcel at 3211 South City Lake Road into three lots, subject to required fire‑access improvements prior to lot‑split approval.

Planning staff said the parcel currently has roughly 35 feet of frontage on South City Lake Road and a long (approximately 750‑foot) flag driveway. Under normal application of frontage and public‑improvement requirements, bringing the site into conformity would require building more than 750 feet of new public street, a scope staff said is disproportionate to the applicant's proposal. The site is largely within the Hillside‑Hilltop Overlay District. Staff recommended approval of the variance with a condition that the applicant complete any fire‑safety access improvements before the city would sign off on a lot split.

Applicant David Rosengarten told the board owners share maintenance of the access driveway by verbal agreement with neighbors and that he has begun coordination on road improvements; he said the fire department has indicated road width and vertical clearance requirements that could be met. Planning staff said franchise utilities and detailed engineering will be reviewed during the lot‑split and permitting processes.

Board members said the variance responds to a situation where required public improvements would be extensive relative to the proposed two additional lots and approved the variance. The motion passed on roll call (Fox: yes; Atkins Horry: yes; Keys: yes; Young: yes). Staff added that engineering and utility reviews, and signed maintenance and access arrangements, will be required as part of the subsequent lot‑split approval process.