Sumner County panel grants lot-size variance for two-lot subdivision on Highway 76

The Sumner County Board of County Appeals voted to grant a lot-size variance that would allow two lots to be recorded for property at 3102 Highway 76 in Portland, enabling a proposed two-lot subdivision in the rural-preservation district.

County planning staff outlined the request and explained that the RP zoning district requires a minimum lot size of 100,000 square feet (about 2.3 acres). Staff said the applicant proposes two lots sized at about 1.9 acres and 2.62 acres and that the smaller parcel resulted from historical changes after Highway 76 was constructed in the mid-1940s.

Staff cited Tennessee code authority authorizing the board to grant variances and walked through the standard findings the board must make, saying the difficulty was not created by the current owner and pointing to the historical tract division and a subsequent zoning-classification change as the basis for a variance. Example motions were provided to approve with conditions (recording a plat that meets Sumner County subdivision regulations and obtaining all necessary permits and setbacks), to deny, or to defer.

The applicant, Charlie Bayer of Portland, provided his address and had no additional comments. One board member announced a recusal during consideration. After closing the public hearing a board member moved to approve the staff-recommended motion to grant the lot-size variance with the required conditions; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The board's approval is conditioned on the submission and staff approval of a subdivision plat that complies with Sumner County regulations and on obtaining any necessary permits before development or recording of the plat.