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Board upholds planning commission, allows 900‑sq‑ft garage with 3‑ft setback in Dorrington
Summary
The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors voted 5–0 Nov. 25 to uphold a planning commission variance allowing a 900‑square‑foot detached garage at 2244 Shaston Way in Dorrington with a 3‑foot front setback after an appeal by a neighbor. The decision includes standard encroachment and building permit conditions.
The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors upheld a planning commission decision Nov. 25 to allow construction of a 900‑square‑foot detached garage at 2244 Shaston Way in Dorrington, rejecting an appeal from a neighboring property owner.
Planning Director Brett Samson told the board the applicant originally sought a larger garage and a zero‑foot setback but revised the design after planning‑commission review. The commission conditionally approved a reduced 900‑square‑foot footprint, a 3‑foot front setback and a requirement for a sectional garage door. Staff cited the parcel’s steep topography — about a 25% grade — as a special circumstance supporting a variance from the zoning code.
Appellant Renee Anglin and other neighbors testified that the project is out of character for the Big Trees Village neighborhood, would create a long street‑facing wall and could reduce sunlight and property values. The appellant also raised concerns about drainage, septic impacts and whether adequate environmental review had occurred.
Applicant Rodney Winkler and supporters said the property lacks usable off‑street parking because of the steep lot and winter snow berms, creating a longstanding hardship. Winkler said the proposed garage would provide additional lawful parking and that county departments, including public works and the fire district, had reviewed the application. He also provided a septic report and said the structure would be finished in materials intended to blend with neighboring homes.
Planning staff responded that accessory structures are categorically exempt under CEQA in this context and that conditions — including an encroachment permit for any work in the right‑of‑way, vacating front‑setback easements if necessary and geotechnical review at building permit stage — would address safety, drainage and embankment preservation concerns.
After board discussion about homeowners association (CC&R) enforcement and precedent, a supervisor moved to uphold the planning commission’s approval. The motion carried 5–0, leaving the variance in place with the conditions imposed by the planning commission and the county.
