DeKalb planning commission approves revised fence location and 20x24 detached garage for 200 Saint Andrews Drive

The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission on March 6 approved a variance that will allow a 6-foot privacy fence at the 25-foot building line and a 20-by-24-foot detached garage for the property at 200 Saint Andrews Drive.

Skye, the homeowner at 200 Saint Andrews Drive, told the commission the taller fence and garage are intended to "ensure a secure environment for our children and prevent our dog from jumping over a low barrier" and to provide indoor storage for collector vehicles and a trailer. Skye said the applicants agreed to the city's recommended location for the fence and that the garage would be set back 25 feet from the right-of-way along Southpointe Drive.

Daniel, planning staff, described the site as a corner lot with nearby townhomes and a pedestrian/golf-cart path. He said the commission must consider variances because a fence or accessory structure at the originally proposed front-yard location would lie in front of the ordinance's variance line. "The motion was written to deny the applicant's Exhibit A request and approve Exhibit B," Daniel said, describing the staff recommendation that pulls the fence back to the 25-foot building line and locates the garage to minimize impacts to the path and neighboring yards.

Neighbors submitted written comments raising concerns about drainage, aesthetics, property values, noise, and traffic. Daniel summarized those materials for the commission and noted an email from a nearby resident and an anonymous letter were included in the background materials. Commissioners asked whether a trailer would be stored inside the proposed garage; Skye confirmed it would be. Skye also said the property would not be used for a home-based auto-repair business.

Commissioner O'Flaherty moved to deny the applicant's original front-yard fence and garage locations (Exhibit A), approve the privacy fence at the 25-foot building line and a variance to allow a 20-by-24-foot detached garage at that location per Exhibit B, and require the fence not encroach on the pedestrian path. McMahon seconded. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote: Bellabong—Yes; O'Flaherty—Yes; Wright—Yes; McMahon—Yes; Sisler—Yes; Chair Maxwell—Yes. The motion passed unanimously.

Planning staff's presentation noted the detached garage would measure about 20 by 24 feet, would match the house in vinyl siding and roof form, and that accessory structures over 120 square feet must be compatible with the primary residence. Staff said the proposed garage location met the 25-foot setback and would avoid encroaching on the adjacent pedestrian path by roughly 2.5 feet per the site exhibit.

The commission concluded the staff-recommended configuration balanced the applicant's storage and security needs with neighborhood and public-path protections. Daniel told the commission that the next regularly scheduled meeting is March 16 and may be canceled if no items are filed; he also reported that the city council recently approved amendments to Article 11 concerning growing flood plains.

The commission took a formal vote on the variances and approved the staff-recommended Exhibit B configuration by unanimous roll call. The applicant may proceed with any required building permits or administrative approvals after the formal variance paperwork is processed.