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Mason’s Corner variance approved after neighborhood outcry; preliminary plat withdrawn for redesign
Summary
The Ward Planning Commission approved a variance allowing three narrow, deep lots at Mason’s Corner despite residents’ objections about traffic, flooding and density; the developer agreed to withdraw the preliminary plat and return next month with revised drawings.
At a planning commission meeting, commissioners approved a variance to permit three lots at the Mason’s Corner property to be deeper than they are wide and to allow a 5-foot side-yard setback where the local preference has been 6 feet. Tristan Phillips of Richardson Engineering introduced the application and said the proposed lots meet the city’s minimum lot-area requirement for the general residential zone.
Neighbors crowded the podium to oppose the preliminary plat that would follow the variance. “We do not want to live in a subdivision,” said Thomas (100 Whipperwill), who told the commission his dead-end road has no turnaround and that added traffic would create safety and access problems. Several residents, including Stephanie Owens and Eddie Carson, described recurring septic, sewer and drainage problems and said the narrow lot layout would increase runoff and on-street parking pressure. Multiple letter submissions and door-to-door petitions were presented opposing the plan.
Gary, a permitting office staffer, told the commission the proposed lots comply with zoning and that staff favored the drawn plan because it prevents creating pipe-stem lots with houses tucked behind others. He and staff noted the city has historically retained a six-foot side yard standard even after the state reduced its minimum to five feet, and that the planning commission can require non-combustible exterior walls where the narrower setback is allowed.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the variance. Roll-call responses in the hearing recorded multiple “yes” votes and one recorded “no” from Art Brook; the chair announced the variance as approved. Following prolonged public comment and negotiation between neighbors and the applicant, the developer agreed to withdraw the preliminary and final plat submissions for Mason’s Corner and to return at the commission’s next meeting with a revised plat, giving neighbors and staff more time to consider alternatives and conditions.
The planner and staff emphasized that the variance decision applies only to the narrow setback and lot shape as presented; it does not constitute final plat approval. The commission set the preliminary/final plat for re-submittal at the next regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 24, when revised drawings and any proposed deed restrictions or lot-count changes will be considered.
