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Spartanburg County BZA grants front-setback variance for Briarwood home
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously May 19 to allow a front setback reduction from 15 to 11 feet for a home at 1349 Willow Ridge Way after a final survey showed the porch encroached and the board found lot dimensions and a surveying error supported relief.
The Spartanburg County Board of Zoning Appeals voted 5-0 on May 19 to grant a variance reducing the front setback for a home at 1349 Willow Ridge Way in the Briarwood Reserve subdivision from 15 feet to 11 feet.
Charity Reynolds, Planner II with the county, presented the staff report and supporting exhibits, noting the lot (0.16 acres, Tax Map 7-10-00-026.53) was platted in 2024 and a building permit issued in December 2025. A final boundary survey showed the home’s front porch encroached about 3.8 feet into the required setback, prompting the variance application filed April 20, 2026.
Jordan Gottschall, Division Director of Construction Operations for Pulte Group, who was sworn and spoke for the applicant, told the board a change in construction managers during the project led to a breakdown in communication with the surveyor. “It wasn't discovered until the final survey results were received,” Gottschall said, and he added that removing the porch would be difficult because “it is structurally connected to the garage and the roof is tied to the living space.” Gottschall also said the lot is slightly shorter than others in the neighborhood and the road curvature complicates layout.
County Attorney John Harris clarified a technical point to the board, saying “the concrete driveway is not considered a structure,” and explained that the question was whether the porch qualifies as part of the structure for setback purposes.
In discussing the four variance criteria, staff told the board that most lots in the subdivision (approximately 53 feet wide) meet setback requirements and that the encroachment could have been avoided by the builder. Board member Thomas Davies moved to grant the variance, saying the parcel’s narrower and shorter dimensions and the road curve reduced usable area and that the surveying issue meant granting relief would not substantially harm adjacent properties or the public good. Jason Patrick seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 5-0.
The board previously approved its April 28, 2026 minutes earlier in the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 5:14 PM.
