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Board grants Tienda Las Vegas setback and parking relief, allows two‑year approval lapse
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Summary
The Town of Georgetown Board of Adjustment granted setback, parking and loading relief on July 2 to permit expansion of Tienda Las Vegas and approved a two‑year lapse period for the approvals.
The Town of Georgetown Board of Adjustment on July 2 granted multiple variances and special exceptions to allow expansion of a longstanding corner retail store known as Tienda Las Vegas (case 2025‑19).
Ken Christenberry of Axiom Engineering, representing owner Diana Gomez, said the building dates to around 1868 and lies on a very small, L‑shaped lot that predates modern setback and parking requirements. "The building was established circa 1868 as Calhoun's store," Christenberry said while describing historical site constraints and a proposed addition to provide refrigeration, storage and office space.
Christenberry presented a parking survey conducted in October that the team said showed the majority of customers walk to the store. He told the board that over 26 survey days, 1,994 customers reported walking to the store while 597 reported driving; most days had at most one driving customer on site at any time. The owner and engineer said deliveries currently occur about once a week and are expected to increase modestly if perishable goods are added (estimated to 5–6 deliveries per month); delivery trucks currently park across the street and goods are moved with hand trucks.
On the application, the applicant requested: a reduction of the front‑yard setback from 25 feet to about 4.7 feet and the side‑yard setback from 10 feet to about 0.7 feet; a special exception reducing required parking from 13 spaces to 4; a special exception permitting two off‑street spaces that require another vehicle to be moved for egress and permitting backing out onto a public road where commercial parking otherwise would not be allowed; a waiver of the required loading space; and a two‑year lapse period for the approvals. The applicant said an internal second‑floor apartment would be for the owner or employees, consistent with town rules limiting that use.
Board solicitor John Pardee explained the standards: for variances the board balances harms to applicant versus neighbors; for special exceptions the board must find the exception "will not substantially affect adversely the uses of adjacent and neighboring property." Several board members said they were persuaded by the applicant's survey, the lot’s historic constraints, and the limited evidence of parking complaints in town records. The town confirmed it had not received negative correspondence about the proposal; the applicant also presented a small petition of six neighbors in support.
The board voted to grant the front and side setback variances, to approve the special exception reducing parking to four spaces, to allow the two stacked/backing spaces (including backing onto the public road where necessary), to waive the loading space requirement, and to grant a two‑year lapse period. Members noted the client would improve the two proposed off‑street spaces and include an ADA‑compliant van space; engineers told the board that an ADA van stall with an 8‑foot landing plus an 8‑foot vehicle space would be provided on site.
No written opposition was recorded in the town files and no members of the public offered testimony against the application during the hearing. The board recorded approvals for all requested variances, special exceptions and the two‑year lapse period.
The approvals allow the owner to pursue building permits and to construct the addition subject to site review and any engineering conditions the town requires.
