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Zoning hearing officer recommends denial for Hilltop Homes lot-size variance, approves two setback variances
Summary
Zoning Hearing Officer Robert Cartel recommended denial of a lot-size variance for Hilltop Homes Incorporated (case 25 O65) and recommended approval of two setback-variance petitions (25 O71 and 25 O69) during a brief Feb. 4, 2026 recommendation session; all three recommendation reports will be transmitted to the county development committee.
Zoning Hearing Officer Robert Cartel recommended denial of a lot-size variance for Hilltop Homes Incorporated and recommended approval of two separate setback-variance petitions during a brief recommendation session on Feb. 4, 2026.
Cartel began the meeting by adopting two prior sets of minutes — the recommendation meeting of Nov. 5, 2025, and the meeting and public hearing of Jan. 21, 2026 — saying he had reviewed the written transcriptions and was approving them. He then considered three pending petitions and signed recommendation reports for each that will be transmitted to the county development committee.
On case 25 O65 (Hilltop Homes Incorporated), Cartel said the petition sought a variation to reduce the required lot size for two existing lots from 75 feet each to approximately 33 feet each. After reviewing the record, he stated that the petition should be denied, saying in the proceeding that “that petition be denied.” The written denial recommendation will be forwarded to the county development committee for further action.
On petition 25 O71, a request to reduce the corner-side setback for a new attached garage from 20 feet to approximately 5 feet, Cartel said the petitioner had "did a reasonably good job of proof" in presenting the case and recommended approval. He signed the recommendation report and said it would be transmitted to the county development committee.
On case 25 O69 (Chen), a request to reduce the side-yard setback for an existing shed from 3 feet to approximately 1 foot, Cartel said he had reviewed the record and was recommending approval, calling it a modest setback relief. He signed that recommendation report and directed transmission to the county development committee.
Cartel noted there was no old business or new business for further consideration and adjourned the session. The county development committee will receive the three signed recommendation reports and may take independent action on them according to its procedures.
