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Woodfin board grants variance to reduce rear setback for Gosnell Road property
Summary
The Planning Board of Adjustment approved a variance to reduce the minimum rear setback from 30 feet to 22 feet for a Gosnell Road lot (tax parcel 9721-80-2052), conditioned on one-story construction; the board recorded a unanimous vote and noted permit and appeal steps.
The Town of Woodfin Planning Board of Adjustment voted to grant a variance Dec. 2 allowing a reduction in the minimum rear setback from 30 feet to 22 feet for a property on Gosnell Road (tax parcel 9721-80-2052).
Staff presented the application from property owner William Myers and described the site context: the lot is zoned R43, is deep and wooded in parts, and the existing house predates the town—s zoning. Staff told the board the proposal would replace an existing nonconforming deck area with a single-story addition and showed a site plan and photos. Staff also reported the applicant engaged Duke Power about a nearby distribution line and said Duke Power indicated the proposed one-story addition was acceptable; that correspondence was included as an exhibit.
William Myers testified that he has lived at the Gosnell Road address for decades and that the addition—s primary purpose is to enable single-level living as he ages, not to create a rental unit. "As we've gotten older, we're trying to get down to single level living," Myers said, describing plans to replace a deck with a single-level structure and move the kitchen downstairs.
Board members asked clarifying questions about buffers and nonconforming status; staff said there is no residential-to-residential buffer requirement and noted the lot is already partially nonconforming. Staff recommended that, if approved, the variance be conditioned to limit the work to a one-story addition to address safety and utility-clearance concerns.
A motion to approve the variance, citing the unnecessary-hardship standard in section 54-145c of the Town Code, passed with the board recording unanimous approval. Staff told the applicant the board would sign the order at a subsequent meeting, the applicant must act on the variance within one year, and there is a statutory appeal period before permits may be finalized.
Next steps: staff will prepare the signed order and the applicant may apply for required permits after the appeal period expires.
