Council approves setbacks and lot-width variances for Crescent Ridge subdivision on Hopewell Road

Milton City Council granted primary variances for the Crescent Ridge subdivision on Hopewell Road, reducing front-yard setbacks from 50 feet to 35 feet for 11 lots and allowing reduced lot widths for three cul-de-sac lots.

Staff and the Design Review Board recommended approval with conditions: the approved layout must conform to the submitted site plan; the front-yard reduction must be offset by increasing rear-yard setbacks from 35 to 50 feet for the affected lots; and pool and pool-equipment setbacks must increase from 10 feet to 20 feet.

Interim Community Development Director Diana Wheeler described constraints that prompted the request: a 20-foot undisturbed buffer on the northern property line, a 20-foot drainage easement on the south, and a stream buffer along the eastern rear of the site. Those features limit buildable area and make it difficult to accommodate pools and yards without pushing improvements into protected areas. "The reduced front setback doesn't really affect anyone since the entire subdivision would have the same front setback, but it allows for greater increase in the rear yard and the flexibility to do things in the backyard," Wheeler said.

Applicant Scott Reese, representing Fuqua & Associates, said the configuration allows preservation of green space and avoids pushing building pads into stream buffers. Council voted to approve the variances at the new-business stage; the motion passed unanimously with the staff-recommended conditions.

Council discussion noted that the request did not change lot density and aimed to balance buildability with environmental protections.