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Board grants front‑yard setback variance for 475 Southlake Drive to allow 14x12 deck
Summary
The Board of Adjustment approved a variance permitting a 14x12‑foot deck to encroach 7.5 feet into the front‑yard setback at 475 Southlake Drive; staff noted the ordinance allows a 5‑foot deck encroachment without a variance and will review footing details at building permit stage.
The Watertown Board of Adjustment granted a variance on June 18 to allow a homeowner at 475 Southlake Drive to build a 14x12‑foot deck that will encroach 7.5 feet into the R‑1 front‑yard setback, resulting in a 17.5‑foot setback from the front property line.
Community development director Brandy Hinton explained the request and the applicable ordinance provisions. Hinton noted the property is in the R‑1 single‑family residential district and said the ordinance allows a deck to encroach up to 5 feet into the front‑yard setback without a variance, which would permit a 9.5‑foot deck in this case. "So if so right now, his house is 29.5 feet back ... our ordinance allows for a deck to encroach 5 feet within the front yard setback," Hinton said, adding that the applicant sought a larger deck than the encroachment allowance.
The homeowner, who did not provide a full name at the podium, asked the board to "vote in my favor" and described the planned construction method (concrete blocks with 4x4 posts) and said the deck would be a non‑permanent structure rather than a concrete foundation. Board members questioned how the proposed deck would align with adjacent properties and whether a 5‑foot deck would be usable; staff noted the neighboring properties are not closer than the 25‑foot setback and that building‑permit review will consider footing details.
A motion to approve the variance was made and seconded. The board conducted a roll‑call vote and the chair announced the motion passed.
Next steps: the homeowner must obtain the required building permit; staff will review footing and construction details at that time, and the variance will be recorded in the project file.
