Georgetown board approves variances to split former church parcel into five residential lots

The Georgetown Board of Adjustment on Oct. 12 voted unanimously to approve variances that will allow a former Church of God property on Booker and Carver streets to be replat as five single‑family residential lots.

The applicant, identified in the hearing as the property representative, told the board the request would “put those lots back to what the original plot was” from a 1946 subdivision and that the proposed homes would be about 1,300–1,400 square feet with four bedrooms and two baths. The applicant said the lots would be similar in size to surrounding parcels.

Board members and staff discussed which specific zoning standards would be modified and whether the Board of Adjustment had jurisdiction over use. Brian Olsak, community development director for the Town of Georgetown, explained the board’s role was to consider the requested variances to dimensional standards — not to adjudicate the proposed use — and that other planning approvals would follow. John Pardee, legal counsel, and staff pointed to the recorded 1946 plat as the historical basis for the requested lot configurations.

Under the approved application, the variances cover Lots 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 on the submitted plan. Specific changes described in the record include reducing minimum lot width from 60 feet to 50 feet for several lots, reducing required lot depth from 120 feet to 100 feet on most parcels, and reducing minimum lot area on three parcels from 7,200 square feet to 5,000 square feet. For Lot 16 the applicant requested a minor width modification to 59.44 feet (about 6–7 inches under the 60‑foot requirement).

Staff and the applicant pointed to the surrounding neighborhood’s lot pattern — many existing parcels are 50 by 100 feet — and said the proposed replat would make the former church parcel consistent with adjacent properties. Olsak noted the submitted subdivision plan shows building envelopes on each proposed lot calculated from the town’s setback lines; the board was told those envelopes indicate houses can meet the setback requirements at the time of building permit review.

Resident Joetta Gibbs Harmon of 9 Booker Street spoke in opposition or concern during public comment, asking how many homes would be built, whether they would be rentals, and expressing worry about density and children playing in the neighborhood. She said, “My name is Joetta Gibbs Harmon. I reside on 9 Booker Street,” and asked about the number of houses and potential effects on the block. The applicant responded in the hearing that similar homes already exist on adjacent streets and that the proposed houses would fit within the shown building envelopes.

After discussion, Commissioner Baker moved to approve the application as submitted; the motion was seconded. The board voted to approve all variances listed in the application for Lots 12–16. Board members and staff said individual building permits and any required planning reviews will be handled by the town’s planning department and engineering review before construction can proceed.

The board’s approval authorizes the dimensional variances recorded in the application; it does not itself approve building permits, change use classifications, or finalize site plan details, all of which must be reviewed through normal permitting channels by town staff.