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Green City zoning board approves variances for driveways, decks, sheds and garages
Summary
On June 18, 2026, the Green City Board of Zoning Appeals approved multiple residential variances — including a 2-foot driveway-width variance, three setback variances for decks and an accessory structure, a 4-foot right-side variance for a shed, and front-yard plus height variances for a detached garage — citing site constraints, accessibility needs and neighbor support.
The Green City Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a slate of residential variances at its June 18 meeting, including requests to keep an overwide driveway, build covered decks closer to rear property lines, place a small accessory structure within a reduced side setback and allow a detached garage in the front yard at a taller height than the code permits.
The board granted a 2-foot variance to permit a 26-foot-wide driveway at 3747 Chesterfield Drive where the code limits driveway width to 24 feet within 10 feet of the right-of-way. The appellants said the builder handled permitting and the driveway permit was missed; they also cited accessibility concerns as a reason for the wider width. A city staff member told the board the city is updating its code and is considering allowing wider driveways (staff mentioned a potential future standard in the 30–36-foot range), and the board approved the requested 2-foot variance by roll call.
In separate votes the board approved a 12-foot rear setback variance for a covered deck at 4442 Broadley Circle (leaving a 28-foot rear setback where 40 is required) and a 10-foot rear setback variance for a deck at 3849 Heron Watch (leaving 10 feet where 20 is required). Contractors and homeowners described constrained lot geometry and minimal designs (a 12-by-10 roofed patio in the Broadley Circle case) and noted neighbor and homeowners-association support in both matters.
At 852 Redwood Drive the board approved a 4-foot right-side setback variance to allow a residential accessory structure that would leave a 1-foot setback where 5 feet is required; the applicants said they had consulted neighbors and provided a letter of support. Later, the board approved two variances for 3526 Mayfair Road: permission to place a detached garage in what the code treats as the front yard (the applicants cited septic and well locations that prevent placing the structure behind the house) and a 10-foot accessory-structure height variance to permit a 28-foot garage where 18 feet is allowed. The applicants provided letters from nearby neighbors and explained site constraints and design choices.
Quotes and notable remarks included an appellant’s explanation that they had assumed the builder would obtain all permits: “we were operating with the understanding that all of the permitting was going to be handled by the builder,” the presenter said. A city staff member told the board, “we are working on our code,” noting staff consideration of broader driveway-width allowances. Contractor Jeff Oslin described the Broadley Circle addition as “a very minimal patio cover” attached to the house.
All variance motions were moved, seconded and approved by roll call during the meeting. The board also approved minutes from May 21 and confirmed its next meeting date for July 16 before adjourning.
The decisions do not change the written code; they are case-by-case variances granted under the board’s authority. Any future code amendments referenced by staff would follow a separate legislative process.
