Commission approves streetscape variance at 704 Robin Court; adds construction‑access condition

The Woodstock Planning Commission approved a variance at 704 Robin Court to increase the sidewalk supplemental zone and to allow a front‑entry house sited to match existing neighborhood setbacks, subject to conditions recommended by staff.

Staff explained the triangular 0.59‑acre lot is heavily constrained by stream buffers added after the subdivision was platted. To avoid building inside those buffers, the applicant asked to increase the supplemental zone width so the house could be set back consistent with surrounding homes. Cameron Dunn said staff recommended approval with conditions including limiting development outside the stream setback, capping height at two stories, architectural review to encourage compatibility, and a requirement to install a sidewalk and landscape strip consistent with modern standards.

Neighbors raised concerns similar to earlier cases—placement of the proposed house, sewer routing and broader neighborhood character. "This is going to stand out like a sore thumb," said Chris Rogers of Cardinal Woods, who urged the commission to preserve the subdivision’s character.

The applicant’s representative said final engineering and site‑plan design will be reviewed by city staff and that the developer will pay for required infrastructure improvements. Commissioners approved the variance, and by unanimous vote added the same construction‑access condition used on the previous case: the gated Ravenwood/Brownlee entrance will be used for construction from issuance of land‑disturbance permits until certificates of occupancy are granted. The approval and recommended conditions will be forwarded to City Council for final action.

Next steps: as with other approvals, site‑plan and engineering submissions must meet city stormwater and sewer regulations before any building permit or construction begins.