Board grants setback reduction to allow backyard shed at 966 Woodgate Lane

The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a homeowner’s request to reduce the required setback for an accessory structure from 8 feet to 4 feet at 966 Woodgate Lane.

Daniel Simon, the petitioner, said he seeks the reduced setback to locate a small backyard shed within a constrained yard that contains an in-ground pool and utility easement. City planning staff recommended the variance, citing the easement and the site’s constraints, and the board voted 5-0 to approve the request.

Simon told the board the shed would be contained inside his fenced backyard, finished to match his house in color and shingles, and is a smaller model about 6 feet wide. He said yard topography and the location of the pool limit placement options. A neighbor, Joe King of 985 Southaven Road, asked where the shed would sit relative to his pool; Simon and staff reviewed a plot plan showing the proposed location on the west side of Simon’s property and said it would not be adjacent to King’s pool.

City planning staff noted a drainage easement and pool occupy a significant portion of the rear yard, that the proposed location would be 4 feet off the property line and that other accessory structures in similar contexts sometimes require 5-foot setbacks. The board admitted the evidence, approved the variance to reduce the setback to 4 feet, and directed the corporation counsel to draft written findings of fact for adoption at the next meeting. All motions carried by recorded hand/voice vote as 5-0.

Board members and staff told Simon he may work with planning staff while the written findings are prepared and will take final action on the findings at the board’s next meeting.