The subject property is a corner lot, which has resulted in it being subject to more restrictive setback requirements compared to interior lots. The existing zoning regulations require corner lots to be wider by 15% than interior lots, but the property in question was platted at the same width as interior lots within the Pheasant Run subdivision. Consequently, this has made it difficult for property owners to expand their homes without seeking a variance. The planning commission acknowledged that if the property were an interior lot, the proposed addition would not have required any variance.

The property owners have designed the addition to respect the existing 15-foot conservation easement and to maintain compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. The heavily forested easements provide a natural screen for the addition, minimizing any potential visual impact on neighbors.

During the meeting, commission members noted that the variance would not have been necessary had the property been originally platted with the additional width. The commission expressed satisfaction with the design’s sensitivity to the neighborhood’s character and the existing natural buffers. There was minimal public commentary on the issue, and the variance received unanimous approval.