Neighbors object to large front‑yard garage; commission hears lakefront setback variance

An applicant seeking a variance to place a large accessory structure in the front yard of a lake lot drew multiple neighbors to the Stephens County Planning Commission meeting, where opponents cited homeowners covenants, visual impacts and neighborhood character.

Property owner Dean Collins said there was "no place else to put it other than the front yard," and that the structure would be largely obscured from the road; he asked the commission to grant relief because the house sits back near the Army Corps line and much of the lot counts as front yard. Neighbors described the building as a 30‑by‑54, roughly 1,600‑square‑foot three‑car metal garage and asked to see detailed plans and renderings. "It's a 30 by 54, 1,600 square feet, 3 car garage," neighbor Joe Roach said, adding concerns about view obstruction. Staff recommended approval consistent with other lakefront variances; commissioners discussed covenants as a civil matter enforceable by neighbors and moved on to the next agenda item.