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Commissioners question setback measurement and suggest code review
Summary
During hearing discussion, several commissioners said measuring setbacks to the gable rather than the eave may force unnecessary variances and urged staff to consider a code revision.
During consideration of VAR26-0002 and other recent variances, multiple commissioners raised concerns that Jefferson County’s setback standard—measuring from the first finished floor to the highest gable end—can force property owners to seek variances when eave height would be a more practical measure.
Commissioner Sean Priest stated, “I do have a problem with the overall rule itself,” and asked why setbacks could not be measured from eave height. Chairman Michael Clark and other commissioners expressed similar concerns, noting that several recent applicants have had to come before the commission because the gable measurement reduced usable building area on smaller lots. Planning and Zoning Administrator Milton Ollerton defended the setbacks on fire-safety grounds, saying they provide defensible space for first responders. Commissioners said the pattern of variances suggests the code may need adjustment and signaled interest in referring the measurement standard to staff for review.
