BZA denies requested larger setback for proposed Sprouts Farmers Market, allows minor design relief

A shopping-center proposal anchored by a Sprouts Farmers Market was the most contested item at the July 1 Avon BZA meeting. The applicant, represented by Kelly Hiett of GBT Realty, sought early variances to streamline subsequent Planning Commission review.

Two requests were discussed: (1) a site setback variance from Jaycox Road (code requires 60 ft.) and (2) relief from articulation-spacing standards that require no more than 20 feet between architectural articulation elements. Hiett said the property’s corner frontage was being treated as secondary and proposed a 45-foot setback; after board feedback the applicant offered a 50-foot setback as an alternative. Neighbor Mark Reichard of 1390 Jaycox LLC raised concerns about semi-truck sightlines, stormwater runoff toward his detention basin, and the precedent of compressing the visual corridor along Jaycox Road. The board voted on a motion to approve a 10-foot setback variance (resulting in a 50-foot setback) and the motion failed 3–2 (Mr. Bulger, Mr. Hricovec and Mr. Miller voted no; Mr. Schatschneider and Chair Ladegaard voted yes), so the larger setback relief was denied.

Separately, the board approved a variance relaxing articulation spacing slightly — from a strict 20-foot maximum to 22–24 feet — after the applicant said strict spacing would place a column in a doorway and interfere with the prototype store layout. Zoning staff emphasized that engineering, traffic and stormwater requirements will be reviewed in detail during the General Development Plan and Final Development Plan processes regardless of the BZA’s variance decisions.