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Neighbors prevail as board denies side‑setback variance at 52 Wolf Creek Cove
Summary
The board denied a variance request to reduce side‑yard setbacks at 52 Wolf Creek Cove after multiple neighbors testified that granting a 4‑foot variance would erode neighborhood character and privacy.
The Troup County Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission voted July 9 to deny a variance that would have reduced the required 20‑foot side setback to roughly 16 feet for a primary residence at 52 Wolf Creek Cove.
Mary Bentley, who identified herself as the property owner, told the board she owns the parcel and that she hopes to build a house there. Neighbors spoke against the variance. Sharon Etrus said the neighborhood was designed as a wooded lakeside community and warned that "if this variance is approved, then as people build more and more, they're gonna want more variances, and it's gonna turn into into a subdivision where all the houses are, you know, more or less right on top of each other." Don Ellsworth, who described himself as having development experience, told the board that "a variance is intended to provide, relief from a unique or true hardship of the property, rather than a preference of the size of structure for the property."
After public comment the board moved to deny the variance; the motion carried and the applicant was told they will need to redraw plans to meet the 20‑foot side‑yard requirement. The board noted any significant deviation from an approved site plan would require Community Development review and appropriate permits before construction.
