Board approves driveway setback variances for 4 Points Architectural site at Magua Drive

The Green Board of Zoning Appeals on March 19 approved setback variances for a proposed self-storage development at the corner of Magua Drive and South Main Street. The board granted an 18-foot variance on the east side of the drive, a 27-foot variance at the curve, and a 24-foot variance at the north side where a 50-foot setback is required under Green codified ordinance 157.1347(b)(4).

Jim Persuto, project architect with 4 Points Architectural, described site constraints that drove the proposed curb location. Persuto said the site grade change is “about 12 foot difference,” and placing the Magua Drive cut roughly 10 feet east of the original curb cut keeps the approach slope below 8 percent and improves emergency-vehicle access and on-site circulation. Persuto said the plan removes existing structures and proposes five enclosed storage buildings in phase one, with future retail and additional access to be developed in phase two.

Persuto noted the design includes two separate entry/exit lanes with individual gates for security and turning radii designed for emergency vehicles; he also described screening measures (Norway spruces on 15-foot centers, mounding three to four feet and fencing) to reduce impacts on an adjacent four-unit apartment building.

Board members asked whether alternative drive locations were feasible; Persuto said alternatives were considered but grade limitations made those options impractical. After discussion, board member Spade moved to grant the three variances as requested. The motion was seconded and passed in a 4-0 roll-call vote.

The board noted an appeal of a related planning and zoning commission decision is scheduled to be heard by the board on April 16, 2026; the driveway setback variances decided on March 19 address only the driveway location and dimension requirements under the zoning code. Any future development or tenant changes would require separate permits and reviews.