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Planning commission approves Mason's Corner plats, grants variance for long, narrow lots
Summary
The Special Planning Commission approved the preliminary and final plats for Mason's Corner and granted a variance to allow lots twice as long as they are wide after staff said the lots meet city square-foot and setback requirements; the commission also added the variance to the agenda and voted to approve it.
The Special Planning Commission approved both the preliminary and final plats for Mason's Corner and granted a dimensional variance allowing lots twice as long as they are wide during its Nov. 3, 2025 special meeting. The commission also voted to add that variance to the agenda before considering and approving it.
The project team told the commission the developer widened each lot by 2 feet so front widths are now 57 feet to meet the city's 6-foot side-setback requirement. Mr. Press, the presenter representing Richardson Engineering, said the owner expects a neighboring buyer, Mr. Bradshaw, to purchase all three lots as laid out rather than replatting them differently.
City staff explained the remaining request is a variance from the city's ordinance limiting lot length relative to width. "The state fire code allows sideyards to go down to 5 feet," Gary, a city staff member, told the commission, "but we still require the 6-foot setbacks locally; the only variance now is for lot proportions." Gary said granting a variance preserves the commission's ability to require conditions—such as non-combustible exterior walls—rather than lowering the city's setback standard across the board.
A commissioner asked for dimensional clarification; staff confirmed the lots are well above the minimum lot area (the city's minimum square footage is 7,500 square feet) but are elongated in shape. Commissioners discussed alternatives—such as placing a house at the front and putting remnant lots behind with shared driveways—but members noted those configurations can be less visually appealing and less compatible with surrounding larger lots.
After discussion, a motion to approve the preliminary plat passed. The commission voted to add the variance to the agenda, then moved, seconded and approved the final plat and the variance allowing lots up to twice as long as their width. No individual vote tallies by name were recorded in the transcript; the chair announced each motion passed.
Next procedural steps: the approved final plat and variance will be reflected in the commission's record and related administrative steps will proceed per city processes; the meeting moved on to other zoning matters.
