Commission recommends setback and height variances for bank site, and approves 8-foot fence variance with condition

On Aug. 7 the Columbia County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of several variances and an exemption: removing a maximum front setback and granting a height exemption for a proposed Queensborough Bank building at 17 Washington Road, and approving an 8-foot fence variance at 840 Brookfield Parkway with conditions.

Planning staff presenter Will described the request for variance to Section 90-98 (to remove a maximum setback in the Evans Sound Center overlay) for a proposed Queensborough Bank roughly at 17 Washington Road. Will said utilities, including a 12-foot water line left in place during prior right-of-way realignment, and the inclusion of a drive-through at the rear of the building pushed the building footprint farther back on the lot. The applicant seeks relief from the overlay's maximum front setback so the project can proceed; staff recommended approval.

The same applicant requested a building-height exemption (file HE25-08-01) to increase the maximum building height from 55 feet to 80 feet for the same property. Will said the fire marshal and fire department reviewed the request and provided standard conditions; staff recommended approval with conditions tied to the fire-department letter.

Applicant representative Alexander Reynolds said the rear drive-through was a factor in siting the building to avoid pedestrian conflicts with parking and circulation.

Separately, the commission considered file VA25-08-02, a variance to Section 90-144 (placement of buildings and structures) to allow an 8-foot fence at 840 Brookfield Parkway. Owner Sandra Gore Sprague told the commission the fence was a replacement of a prior fence damaged in Hurricane Helen; she said the prior fence dated to 1991 per a previous owner and that the taller fence is a safety measure for the household. Staff reported no major concerns but noted there had been a code-enforcement complaint and that a building permit had not been obtained. The recommendation included a condition that the owner obtain the required permit within 60 days of approval by the Board of Commissioners. The commission carried motions recommending approval for the setback and height relief and recommending approval with the stated condition for the fence variance.

All items were forwarded as recommendations to the Board of Commissioners, which will consider final action on Aug. 19, 2025.