Planning Commission backs variances for 196 Short Street, with pool allowed inside larger setback

The Woodstock Planning Commission on June 5 voted to recommend that City Council approve three variances for work at 196 Short Street, a roughly 1-acre lot in the downtown residential-office (DTRO) district. The commission approved staff recommendations with one change: the pool and associated pool deck may encroach into the 75-foot impervious setback but not into the 50-foot undisturbed stream buffer.

Staff said the lot contains a swale that staff concluded meets the criteria for state waters, triggering statutorily required stream buffers and setbacks. Under current rules, a 25-foot stream buffer, a 50-foot undisturbed buffer, and a 75-foot impervious setback apply; the existing house and three accessory structures already encroach into those buffer zones. The applicant proposes to demolish existing buildings and construct a two-story, 3,746-square-foot single-family home, add a pool and pool deck, and relocate some improvements on the lot. Staff identified three needed variances: (1) allow work in the 50-foot undisturbed buffer to remove existing buildings, grade and…