The Cochise County Board of Adjustment voted to approve VAR25-08, an applicant-initiated variance allowing a 1,026-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on an RU-4 parcel in Supervisor District 2, at its meeting. Staff presented the request as a variance from section 2.4817 of the county zoning regulations.

Staff told the board the county recently amended its zoning regulations to reflect state changes expanding where and how accessory dwellings may be built. Under current rules an ADU may be the lesser of 75% of the principal dwelling or 1,000 square feet; the applicant requested a 1,026-square-foot ADU, which staff said is a 2.6% increase over the 1,000-square-foot threshold. Staff said the property is located about 1.5 miles from the jurisdictional boundary and approximately 2 miles north of the Ramsey Road intersection and that adjacent parcels to the north, south and east are undeveloped.

In public comment, nearby property owners spoke in support. Susan Kitchell, a neighboring property owner, told the board she did not expect the proposed location to affect her planned views and said she had no objection. Staff said the notification process included a legal advertisement, mailed notices to property owners within 300 feet and physical posting of the site; staff reported two written responses in favor and one response asking that the ADU be placed further north on the parcel.

Citing the variance factors in section 2.6001 of the zoning regulations, staff recommended approval without special conditions. A board member moved, another seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote. The board approved the variance to allow the ADU as proposed.

Staff indicated the county will send the applicant a letter outlining next steps for permitting.