Board approves larger front-yard variance for Drees lot after neighbor requests protections for trees and swale

The Erlanger Board of Adjustment approved Feb. 23 a variance to reduce the front-yard setback from 30 feet to 10 feet for a vacant flag lot where Drees Homes is expected to build, while a neighbor asked that the developer preserve planting and an existing swale used for runoff management.

Staff presented the application and said the lot in question is just over 1 acre and that the flag lot was established prior to the current zoning ordinance's method for measuring front yards—an historical fact staff cited as a special circumstance. Staff recommended a favorable finding, noting that the strict hardship test was not met but that the lot contains building capacity and that the variance would not adversely affect the public health, safety or welfare.

Alex Martin, operations manager for Drees Company, said the company currently has no contracted buyer for the lot and represented a building pad that reflects plans the company might offer. Martin emphasized respect for an existing landscape easement and said Drees would be willing to discuss neighbor concerns but could not promise actions beyond the easement.

Neighbor William Matthews spoke in support of the project conditioned on protections for four trees and a swale he and his late wife planted to manage drainage; he asked the builder to keep the home's building pad positioned to avoid disturbing the trees and the swale. Martin said Drees would respect the landscape easement and engage in further conversations but could not make enforceable promises at the hearing.

A motion adopting staff's favorable recommendation passed on roll call. The board's approval is a variance finding; any construction remains subject to permits, and the chair encouraged the parties to continue dialogue about trees and drainage.