Glynn County Board of Appeals denies variance for St. Simons laundry-room addition

The Glynn County Board of Appeals on a date not specified denied a variance request to reduce the right-side yard setback for a proposed laundry-room addition at 74 Wildlife Preserve on St. Simons Island.

Niecey Carroll, a Glynn County planner, told the board the ordinance requires a 7-foot side-yard setback; approving the request would reduce the setback to 5 feet. Carroll said public records show the house was constructed in February 2009 and presented site photos and a site plan showing the proposed bump‑out.

The applicant, Earl “Joe” Schlegel, described the change as a small “6 by 8” bump‑out to enclose an existing deck area and create a dedicated laundry room. He said the neighbor supported moving the garbage cans inside and that the work would remove an exterior door and deck steps.

A board member said the panel had to consider alternatives and described the claimed hardship as self‑imposed, noting the house already contains an existing laundry space and other interior options existed. “This is obviously a self‑imposed hardship when there are other options available,” the board member said.

Board members also noted no building plans or permit submittal had been received by the building‑inspections office at the time of the hearing. After discussion, a motion to deny the variance was made and seconded; the chair announced the motion carried and the variance was denied. The applicant was told he may appeal the decision to the Glynn County Board of Commissioners.

The board’s decision preserves the current interpretation of Glynn County setback requirements and underscores its reluctance to grant variances when board members perceive other feasible alternatives within the existing structure.