Prescott Board of Adjustment denies height variance for Cloud Crossing home

A majority of the City of Prescott Board of Adjustment denied variance VA-25-002 on June 19, rejecting a request to raise the maximum residential height from 35 feet to 40 feet, 6 inches for a single-family home on Cloud Crossing in The Ranch subdivision.

The panel made the decision after staff described the site as a steep lot with an average slope of about 30 percent and after neighbors and the applicant’s architect debated whether the taller roof features were required by site constraints or driven by design preferences.

City community planner Kaylee Nunez summarized the request and the staff analysis, saying the applicant reduced an earlier 46-foot proposal to the current design and that the proposal “is a variance to the maximum building height for residential structures.” She told the board staff had completed the required neighborhood outreach, including mailed notices to owners within 300 feet and a newspaper notice.

Neighbors argued the proposed roof elements would intrude on sightlines. Jim Smith, who owns the house immediately below the project site, said the submitted elevations show the roof line will sit above his great room and asked the board to deny the variance so his main view would not be blocked. Architect Tom Terry said the design changes reduced driveway slope and that the homeowners association’s architectural committee requested roof elements that add interior light and improve the exterior appearance; he told the board the committee “wanted us to improve the roof designs.” Property owner Jeanne McHenry said the design was moved up toward the street at the HOA’s request to lessen impacts to neighboring views and that the turret (cupola) provides requested interior light.

Board members questioned whether the height increase was strictly necessary. Member Tom Davis asked whether the cupola could be removed and still comply with zoning; Terry replied, “The answer is yes. Very close. So yes.” Member Mary Frederickson reminded colleagues they should evaluate the application on its own merits and not as precedent, while other members noted that many remaining lots in the southern portions of Prescott are steep and will likely present similar challenges going forward.

After discussion, a board member moved to deny VA-25-002 on the grounds that significant alternatives exist to meet the city’s code. The motion carried and the variance was denied. The transcript does not list a full roll-call vote tally for this motion.

The applicant may revise the design or return with a new application; the board did not direct staff to prepare further specific follow-up tasks at the hearing.