Setback variance request for Madrid Street lot continued after neighbors press for more information

The Planning and Zoning Board postponed action May 20 on a variance request to reduce the front setback from 25 feet to 15 feet for a proposed single-family residence at 206 Madrid Street, citing insufficient information on topography, grading and hardship.

Applicant Christina Evans of Matthews DCCM told the board the property’s lots are substandard for the low-density land-use designation and that changes to the city’s land development code since the owner purchased the lot supported the request. She said the requested 15-foot front setback was intended to provide a usable backyard while matching prior neighborhood construction patterns. Several board members said the application packet lacked enough detail — notably sections, retaining-wall plans and a topographical explanation of how grading or other constraints make the requested setback necessary. One board member said a 5-foot reduction might be easier to justify than a 10-foot change, and neighbors urged the board not to set a precedent of chipping away at setbacks.

Public commenters, including Susan Bridal, Jim LeClaire, Patty Crum and Stacy Scanlon, raised concerns about neighborhood character, drainage, dune grading and the potential for future development that could further change street frontages. One neighbor asked whether a house built closer to the street could later be raised or expanded; staff explained that changes complying with land-development rules would be reviewed by the building department and only changes that violate ordinances would return to the board.

The applicant requested a continuance to bring an engineer and more detailed grading and topographical information; the board voted to table the item to the June meeting.