Navasota board approves 11-foot rear-setback variance for two homes on West Virginia Street

The Navasota Board of Adjustment on an evening meeting approved a zoning variance allowing an 11-foot rear building setback for two single-family dwellings at 905 A and 905 B West Virginia Street, legal description Washington Park, Block K, Lots 3 and 4.

The variance reduces the required 20-foot rear setback in the R-3 (high-density multi-dwelling) residential district by 9 feet, enabling the applicant, Jose Ortiz, to fit each proposed home'about 1,800 square feet with an attached garage'on two separate lots. Planning staff summarized the request during a public hearing and noted that single-family homes and duplexes are exempt from Planning and Zoning site-plan approval and can be approved administratively.

The variance was considered under Order No. Two-two25. Board member Phillips moved to approve the variance and board member Vaughn seconded; the motion carried. The meeting minutes record the motion as approved and do not record an individual roll-call vote.

During the public hearing, Ortiz identified himself as the applicant and said the variance is needed so the houses can accommodate a larger footprint common to the neighborhood'"the popular model is a 3-2 with a garage," Ortiz said'and that he will build the houses to sell. Planning staff said the proposals meet all other setback requirements and showed a site plan illustrating the proposed rear setback. Staff also said the two lots are recorded as separate lots on the ground even though some appraisal district records show them as one parcel.

Board members and questioners discussed how the proposed homes would compare to nearby houses on Roosevelt Street; staff and Ortiz said the elevations would be similar, with two gables and a garage, and that the new houses would be mirrored rather than identical. Board members noted side setbacks on narrow lots in the R-3 zone were reduced to 7.5 feet by a prior zoning amendment to encourage single-family development, meaning most mechanical equipment typically sits on the side of the house and the variance primarily affects backyard depth.

Staff said the neighborhood has overhead utility lines and that the project would use concrete driveways with culverts to cross the open-channel ditches; there are no plans for curb and gutter at the site. Ortiz said he is the contractor on the project and that driveways on the lots will be moved to align with the proposed floor plans.

The board voted to approve the variance. No conditions or amendments to the motion were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The board then approved minutes from its March 19, 2025 meeting and adjourned.