Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dawson County Planning Commission approves variance to allow 7-foot side setback at Lake Terrace Drive
Summary
The Dawson County Planning Commission granted variance VA 26 37 to reduce the minimum side setback from 10 feet to 7 feet for an addition at 65 Lake Terrace Drive after the applicant and neighboring property owners agreed to a property-line adjustment; the vote was 3-0.
The Dawson County Planning Commission voted 3-0 on July 21, 2026, to approve variance VA 26 37, allowing a reduction of the minimum side setback from 10 feet to 7 feet for construction of an attached garage and an additional room at 65 Lake Terrace Drive in Dawsonville.
Jim Stevenson, the applicant and resident at 65 Lake Terrace Drive, told the commission his home is small and currently has a metal carport that he plans to remove. "We hope to remove [the metal carport] and then an attached garage will be constructed," Stevenson said, describing the proposed addition as including a room for grandchildren and a living area that will match the existing façade.
Peyton Anderson of Davis Engineering, who presented the technical details for the applicant, said the team initially considered a 15-foot setback and briefly considered requesting 2 feet before learning the county's minimum was seven. "I believe the county told us seven's the minimum," Anderson said, and added that neighbors had agreed to a property-line adjustment so both residences would be at least 7 feet from the revised line.
The commission's Chair opened the public-hearing process and invited those speaking in favor or opposition; no members of the public spoke during the hearing. Staff noted the applicants provided neighborhood emails of support and photos to accompany the application.
After brief discussion, a member moved to approve the variance and a second was recorded; the Chair announced the motion carried 3-0. The Chair told the applicant, "You have your variance." Commissioners and staff discussed next steps: staff will record the required plaque, the applicants must complete deed work with their neighbor to formalize the property-line adjustment, and staff will verify distances before the applicant can pull permits.
The code citation given with the application was recorded in the hearing as the Dawson County Land Development Code, article 3, chapter 1 21 6 7 3 c 2, which the commission relied on in framing the minimum setback requirement. Parcel numbers cited in the record were L10069 (65 Lake Terrace Drive) and L10070 (69 Lake Terrace Drive).
The commission adjourned following the action.
