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County tentatively backs Mitchell garage variance, continues item for final findings
Summary
After heated exchanges over an unpermitted attached garage that encroaches into the front setback, the Placer County zoning administrator took tentative action to approve the variance and continued PLN25-0000337 to April 16 for staff to draft formal findings and conditions. Staff had recommended denial citing lack of special circumstances.
Placer County’s Zoning Administrator Crystal Jacobson took tentative action on March 12 to approve a variance for an as-built attached garage at 5640 Bell Road (PLN25-0000337) but continued the item to the April 16 meeting so staff can prepare final findings and conditions.
Planning staff recommended denial, saying the 5-acre parcel is not constrained by size, shape or topography and that other relatively flat areas on the lot could accommodate an enclosed garage that would meet setback standards. Staff reported the as-built conversion encroaches farther into the 50-foot front setback (approximately 10'3" from the edge of easement) and concluded the applicant had not demonstrated the special physical circumstances required for approval under the county code.
Applicant Alan Mitchell acknowledged he converted a carport into an attached garage without permits and argued that site features (a canal with setback constraints, existing concrete pads and retaining walls, planted orchards and septic locations) limit alternative garage locations and affect access and usability—especially for aging family members. Mitchell provided supplemental materials and contended that nearby properties have similar configurations.
Jacobson said she visited the site, reviewed aerial mapping and the supplemental materials, and while she criticized the applicant’s decision to proceed without permits, she identified unique site characteristics (canal, orchard plantings, utility pads and leach field locations) that could support variance findings. To give staff time to craft precise findings and conditions consistent with her rationale, she took tentative action to approve the variance and continued the item to April 16 with direction to return drafted findings and conditions. She noted an administrative continuance and that the applicant would have the opportunity to review draft conditions before final action.
The continuance preserves public notice for a date certain; the final decision will be made after staff returns with written findings and any conditions.
