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Board gives staff limited discretion to approve minor house-design variations at Wheeler Parcel
Summary
Jam Golf asked the DRB to allow staff to approve minor modifications to 14 preapproved single-family designs (e.g., 2-foot rear bump-outs, walkout basements and mirrored plans) so buyers and builders can select lots without returning each change to the board. The board agreed in principle to allow non-substantial variations while reserving substantial design changes for board review.
Jam Golf LLC requested changes to the final plat approval for the Wheeler Parcel (SD2602), a 32-home planned unit development at 550 Park Road, seeking administrative flexibility to allow buyers and builders to select among preapproved designs and to permit limited variations without returning to the board for each minor change.
Benjamin Avery, speaking for the applicant, said the original buildout assumed a single builder. With the earlier builder gone, Jam Golf has funded infrastructure and is marketing lots individually. "We have some builders speculatively, but, really folks choosing their own, their own plot of land," Avery said, explaining that the firm wants staff to be able to approve "minor variations" — such as small rear bump-outs or walkout basements where topography allows — provided the changes do not alter the approved neighborhood character.
Board members discussed multiple guardrails staff should apply if given discretion. Staff suggested limiting administrative approval to changes that preserve front and rear setbacks and maintain at least 10 feet of separation between exterior walls; they also proposed conditions to prevent excavation or structural changes that would require blasting or ledge removal. Planning staff noted prior conditions requiring screening of walkout basements that face the recreation path.
Members raised concern about the phrase "custom homes," which one board member said could be misread to allow radically different architecture. Several members favored being "silent" on custom homes and instead directing staff to permit only "non‑substantial" variations; substantial departures from the 14 approved designs would still require board review. Marla Keane (staff) said staff would likely allow more variation than the board but supported limiting discretion to insubstantial changes.
The board agreed in principle that staff may have authority to approve minor, non‑substantial modifications without convening the DRB, while any significant departures from the approved master-plan designs would return to the board for review. The hearing was closed by motion and vote; the board recorded support for staff discretion within limits that will be set out in conditions or follow-up materials.
