PLDRC denies revised Stone Island PUD setback variance after neighbor objections
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Summary
The commission voted 6–1 to deny a variance request tied to the Stone Island PUD after neighbors and multiple commissioners raised concerns about massing, visual impacts and failure to meet variance criteria.
The Planning & Land Development Regulation Commission denied a variance request affecting the Stone Island Planned Unit Development on Dec. 18, voting 6–1 after hearing neighbor opposition and staff analysis that the five legal variance criteria were not met.
Steve Shams, planning staff, said the applicant had revised the request since the November hearing to remove one side‑yard variance and to shift the proposed structure to meet a 10‑ft side setback; the rear‑yard variance request was reduced from 3 feet to 7.2 feet. Staff noted the site lies in a flood zone and recommended denial because the application failed to satisfy all five variance criteria.
Neighbor Robert Moran told the commission the proposed change would expose an additional 23 feet of the accessory structure to his view and urged the commission to “stay with the PUD rules” to preserve privacy and setback protections. Commissioners repeatedly cited precedent and the scarcity of similar rear‑yard variances in the area.
After discussion, a motion to deny the variance was made and seconded. The PLDRC voted to deny the variance 6–1.
What happens next: The applicant may appeal the decision to County Council within the applicable appeal period or request withdrawal and resubmission with modified plans.