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Commission denies variance request to shrink side setbacks in Going Springs subdivision
Summary
The Cabot Planning bodies rejected a developer’s request to reduce side setbacks from 8 feet to 5 feet on 21 lots in the Going Springs Phase 1A subdivision, after staff noted infrastructure was already installed and commissioners raised concerns about accessory structures and easements.
The Cabot Board of Adjustment denied a variance application to reduce side-yard setbacks in the Going Springs Phase 1A subdivision on a 5–2 roll call after a detailed presentation from the applicant’s engineer.
The applicant, represented by Lemons Engineering, asked the board to lower the side setback from 8 feet to 5 feet on 21 of the 30 lots in the phase, saying multiple house plans with 60–64 foot widths would not fit on the existing 75-foot lots without a reduction. The engineer said streets, water, sewer and other infrastructure are already installed, leaving replatting impractical.
Commissioners and staff warned that smaller lots and wider homes often cause downstream issues: accessory buildings get squeezed, owners store items in garages, and placement of storage structures can conflict with utility and drainage easements. The applicant said houses would be shifted to one side to allow access to the rear and that future phases would be adjusted to avoid repeat requests.
Commissioner Prader moved to approve, but the motion failed on roll call. Commissioners De Arman and others voted no, resulting in the denial of the variance. The board recorded that without the variance developers would need to build smaller homes or return with a replat. The variance was not approved.
