Board approves variance to split two Wall Street lots, reducing side-yard setbacks

A local board approved a variance that will let two small Wall Street parcels be reconfigured so both will front on Wall Street and allow narrower side-yard setbacks.

James, a staff member, told the board the applicant seeks "a variance from the side yard setbacks" to reduce the side setback from 10 feet to 6 feet so each lot would have roughly 20 feet of buildable width per lot; James recommended approval under the four variance criteria. The staff presentation described Parcel 19 as landlocked and said the reconfiguration would avoid imposing an access easement on adjacent property owners.

The applicant, recorded in the transcript as Donald Connor, said the change would let him "make something nice out of what I have" and avoid putting a house behind another house. The board moved into deliberation and then voted to approve VA2026-01 "as presented by the applicant and staff." The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote; staff will follow up with the applicant to proceed with permitting.

The approval grants a 4-foot reduction in the side-yard setback on each lot (from 10 feet to 6 feet). The board recorded no written objections in the packet; staff said only one adjacent property owner called to ask about the application and expressed no position.