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Bryan County board approves setback variances for proposed 4,500-square-foot home at 725 Seascape Drive
Summary
The Board of Adjustments approved variances to reduce front and side setbacks for a vacant 0.6-acre lot at 725 Seascape Drive to permit construction of a roughly 4,500-square-foot single-family home.
The Bryan County Board of Adjustments voted to approve variances allowing construction of a single-family home at 725 Seascape Drive by reducing the property’s front setback from 100 feet to 70 feet and side setbacks from 15 feet to 10 feet.
Bryan County planning staff recommended the variance, citing the lot’s shape and its adjacency to state waters and a special flood hazard area as unique conditions that limit development. The board closed the public hearing and approved the motion by voice vote; no opposing votes were recorded.
Steph (planning staff) told the board that the lot is zoned R-15 and is approximately 0.6 acres and currently vacant. “These conditions do create a hardship for this property and are unique to this property,” Steph said, and recommended approval because the requests were consistent with the county’s Unified Development Ordinance and would limit impacts on the river marsh area.
Billy Norwood, speaking for applicants Andy and Vicky Hitt, said the application reflected the owners’ preference for a larger backyard and that the applicant agreed with the staff summary. No members of the public who had signed up spoke in opposition.
The Board of Adjustments opened the public hearing, received staff presentation and the applicant’s remarks, closed the hearing and voted to approve the variances. The board noted that homeowners association preferences cannot be treated as a legal hardship, but staff found other physical constraints that met the ordinance criteria.
The approval is final for the Board of Adjustments; no changes to the County Commission’s agenda for this item were indicated. Applicants will proceed with permitting steps required by county staff, including any building and floodplain approvals that may be necessary.
