Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rear Setback New Construction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Variance granted for Walton Way lot to allow new home to encroach 11 feet into rear setback
Summary
The board approved a rear-setback variance at 3132 Walton Way to permit a new home porch to encroach from the required 37 feet to 26 feet after the existing hurricane-damaged house is demolished. Staff recommended denial but presented a conditional framing for approval; the applicant agreed to staff conditions.
The Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance on June 16 allowing a new house at 3132 Walton Way to have a 26-foot rear setback instead of the required 37 feet.
Planning staff told the board the lot—about 0.64 acres in the Almond Place subdivision—had been heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene and that the applicant seeks a variance so a new home’s rear porch can extend into the required rear yard by 11 feet. Staff recommended denial under section 33 of the comprehensive zoning ordinance but provided a conditional allowance should the board decide to approve.
Brian Kepner, zoning administrator, explained the ordinance requires a rear yard equal to 20% of lot depth (not to exceed 50 feet) and that the proposed porch would result in a 26-foot rear setback. James B. Trotter, speaking as the applicant’s representative, said many homes in the corridor were built with similar encroachments and that the existing garage already encroaches several feet into the rear yard.
Trotter said, "They're tearing all of that down. And in order to honor the front setback, they're needing to encroach into the rear setback by 11 feet." Planning staff again noted the request did not meet the strict variance criteria but offered the condition to allow a minimum 26-foot rear setback for the property if the board approved.
A motion to approve the variance subject to staff conditions carried by show of hands with no opposition; the applicant was told they would receive formal written notice in the mail.
The approval permits the applicant to build the proposed new home with the 26-foot rear setback; staff will issue written confirmation and monitor compliance with the stated conditions.
