The Henry County Zoning Advisory Board on July 10 approved a variance allowing an addition to the house at 127 Chestnut Lane to remain at its existing front setback of roughly 27.6 feet rather than the 75 feet required by the Unified Land Development Code.

The request, filed as VR2502, was presented to the board by planning staff and described as relief from development standards in District 4 so the property owner could add onto a preexisting house. The planning presentation noted the house was built in 1966 per tax records and sits on about 2.08 acres.

Staff recommended approval with conditions after reviewing the site plan and existing structures. A contractor speaking for the applicant said the project is an addition to the existing structure, not a tear-down and rebuild. He told the board the building predates the county's current setback rules and that the homeowners planned to use the existing driveway and access.

Several neighbors asked procedural questions during public comment about septic and driveway access; staff clarified that the variance pertains only to the front-yard setback and not to easements or driveway rights. Planning staff also said septic and other permitting matters would be reviewed during the building-permit process.

The board moved to approve the variance with the conditions recommended by staff; the motion carried by unanimous consent.

The county's next administrative steps will be the permitting process for the addition, at which point building and public-health reviews (septic, plumbing, etc.) must be satisfied before work can proceed.