Washington County board approves variance to reduce 35-foot north setback for property owner

At a Washington County board meeting, an unidentified board member moved to approve a variance allowing a property owner to reduce the required 35-foot setback on the north side of her lot so she can establish a home. The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote.

Jessica Deal, who identified herself at the meeting, told the board she purchased the property two to three months ago and is seeking relief from the 35-foot north setback. "We are requesting a variance on the 35 feet setback on the north side of the property," she said, and offered a survey to the board. She said the lot is bordered by a hayfield, an empty lot and a road, and that she plans to remove a barn currently on the property.

The request matters, the applicant said, because an existing septic system is on the property and will influence placement of a future home. Deal said the septic system was a major selling point, and that she will contact a company for a septic inspection and pursue required building permits when ready.

After brief questions from an unidentified board member about an old structure on the lot and the septic, the board member said they had no problem with the request and moved to approve the variance "as submitted." Another board member seconded the motion and the board approved it by voice vote; the transcript records vocal "Aye" responses but does not provide a roll-call tally or the names of voting members.

Following the vote, Deal thanked the board: "It's literally made my year," she said. The board then handled a routine adjournment motion and ended the meeting.

The board also approved the previous meeting's minutes earlier in the session and adjourned after addressing no other business. Additional documentation the applicant mentioned—such as the survey, septic inspection report and subsequent building-permit filings—were not recorded in the transcript as submitted.