Votes at a glance: Jonesboro approves two variances for single-family lot and setback reductions

The commission approved two separate variances during the meeting: one allowing construction of a new single-family house on a substandard lot at 2111 Cane Street, and another reducing a front setback on a Sloane Lake Drive/Casey Springs lot so a spec house can be built.

At 2111 Cane Street, applicant Weston Wagner said his lot is zoned R-2 and meets frontage and depth requirements but is short of the minimum lot area. Wagner told the commission the lot is 5,670 square feet, about 330 square feet under the 6,000-square-foot minimum. He said the planned house will have about 1,396 square feet of heated and cooled space and 1,894 square feet under roof.

"The only thing I don't meet is the minimum square footage. You need 6,000 square foot. I have 5,670," Wagner said.

A commissioner moved to grant the variance, a second was recorded, and the roll call recorded yes votes; Miles, Bailey and the third voting member on the record voted yes and the motion passed.

The second approval addressed a setback on a Sloane Lake Drive lot owned by Michael Tire (identified in the record as Michael Tire construction). The applicant asked to reduce a 45-foot front setback (originally reserved in case Casey Springs were widened) by about 20 feet so the lot would better match the existing houses on the street. Staff explained the 45-foot setback was platted to allow for possible future widening of Casey Springs to a minor arterial; the applicant said the street had not been widened since the plat.

Commissioners voted to approve the setback variance after discussion about drainage easements, the existing 18-inch drainage pipe on site, and how the lot would sit relative to neighboring homes. In the roll call that followed, recorded yes votes included Miles, Bailey and Capels (spelling as in record). The motion carried.

Summary of votes:

- 2111 Cane Street (Weston Wagner) Requested: lot-area variance to build single-family home on 5,670 sq ft lot (requirement 6,000 sq ft). Outcome: approved. Vote (recorded): Miles (yes), Bailey (yes), other recorded member (yes).

- Sloane Lake Drive / Casey Springs (Michael Tire construction) Requested: reduce 45-foot setback by approximately 20 feet to provide more buildable area; applicant noted an on-site drainage easement and 18-inch pipe. Outcome: approved. Vote (recorded): Miles (yes), Bailey (yes), Capels (yes).

Meeting minutes show the motions were seconded and carried; the transcript does not record detailed mover/ seconder names for each motion beyond the roll call results. Applicants were told to proceed with required plan submittals and that staff would check drainage and street-setback/master-street requirements as part of permit review.