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Council approves 10-foot setback variance for garage at 195 Jefferson
Summary
The Afton Town Council approved a 10-foot side-setback variance for Tracy Blittner's detached garage on a corner lot after Planning & Zoning recommended approval with conditions; council discussed snow storage, easements and whether repeated corner-lot variances warrant a regulation change.
The Afton Town Council voted July 9 to approve a 10-foot side-yard setback variance for a proposed detached garage at 195 Jefferson, allowing the structure to sit 4 feet back on an existing concrete pad rather than the 20-foot side setback normally required on corner lots.
Applicant Tracy Blittner told council she planned to repurpose an existing concrete pad for a personal garage/shop and would not increase traffic; she said neighbors had been consulted. Planning & Zoning recommended approval based on the site's unusually wide corner right-of-way and the large unstructured area around the lot.
Council debated dimensions, potential conflicts with easements or utilities, snow-storage implications and whether the town's frequent granting of corner-lot variances suggests a regulatory change is needed for wide right-of-way locations. The town administrator clarified the variance would allow building only on private property and not in the right-of-way.
A council member moved to approve the variance (including Planning & Zoning conditions) and the motion was seconded; the council approved the request by voice vote. Following the vote, council members asked staff to evaluate whether the setback standard for large right-of-way corner lots should be revised for consistency going forward.
