The Cochise County Board of Adjustment approved VAR25-09, allowing a reduction of the minimum required setback from 20 feet to 10 feet for a proposed 1,800-square-foot detached garage at a Sierra Vista property owned by William Bailey.

Planning staff presented the request as a variance from section 2.18 0.04 of the Cochise County zoning regulations. Staff said the property is in Sierra Vista Estates No. 3 (zoned R36), that the closest residence to the proposed garage location is approximately 100 feet to the northwest, and that the proposed garage would remain smaller than the principal dwelling as required under accessory structure limits.

Applicant William Bailey told the board he needs a larger detached garage to protect a collection of vehicles from repeated hail damage and to store and work on several restored and imported cars. "I collect them," Bailey said, and he explained that site constraints — including septic placement and the orientation of existing structures — limit where the building can be placed so the reduced setback is necessary for access and use. A neighbor on the line supported the request and told the board past hailstorms damaged vehicles stored outdoors.

Staff said the county followed public-notification procedures (a legal advertisement, mailed notices to property owners within 300 feet and posting of the site) and reported multiple responses in favor. Based on its evaluation of the variance factors, staff recommended approval without special conditions. A board member moved, another seconded, and the board approved the variance by voice vote. Staff will send the applicant guidance for building permits and next steps.

The planning director later announced a recently hired planner and previewed a separate submitted variance in Palominas that would facilitate development of an RV park; staff asked the board for availability the week of Nov. 19 to hear that item if needed.