Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Subdivision Setbacks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Design board recommends Blakely Manor lot-setback swap for 36-lot subdivision
Summary
Design Review Board recommended approval of setback variances for the proposed 36-lot Blakely Manor subdivision on Freemanville Road, a plan that reduces front setbacks and increases rear setbacks and pool setbacks on exterior lots; the case will go to City Council on May 5 because the variance affects more than 10% of lots.
The City of Milton Design Review Board on April 1 recommended approval of setback adjustments proposed for the 36-lot Blakely Manor subdivision on Freemanville Road, finding the swaps — reduced front setbacks in exchange for increased rear setbacks and larger rear pool clearances on exterior lots — provide planning benefits and reduce impervious area.
Michael Cardiman, city staff, said the applicant seeks a front-yard reduction from 60 feet to 50 feet for 36 lots in the proposed subdivision and is proposing to increase rear-yard setbacks from 50 feet to 60 feet; exterior lots would also see pool and pool-equipment setbacks increase from 10 feet to 20 feet. Cardiman advised the board that variance requests that affect more than 10% of lots in a subdivision are forwarded to City Council; he said this application will go before the council on May 5.
Scott Rees of Brumlow Rees and Associates, representing Chatham Neighborhoods, told the board the changes respond to a change in the standard lot-width requirement (from 100 feet to 150 feet) that made many lots deeper and reduced usable back yards. Rees said the developer is not increasing density or buildable area and that the proposed front/rear swap preserves the view toward Freemanville Road while providing more protection for adjacent properties and reducing impervious surface overall.
Board members generally supported the trade-off. One member observed that 60-foot rear setbacks in a developed neighborhood are large and that the proposed swap gives more usable rear yards to interior lots while preserving the exterior view corridors. With no public comment, the board voted unanimously to recommend approval; staff noted the application meets the Birmingham/Freemanville UDC and CUP context and will proceed to the May 5 City Council meeting for final consideration because of the 10% threshold.
Vote: Design Review Board recommended approval (unanimous).
