Developer asks board to approve minor setback variance for Fox's Den lot; aldermen give informal nod

Bob Schmidt, a local developer, requested administrative approval or a minor variance Aug. 4 for a single-family dwelling in the Fox's Den subdivision where the lot’s rear setback would fall just under the 25-foot requirement.

Schmidt said the lot’s curved radius at the rear corner prevents the planned house with a three-car garage from meeting the setback, and that reducing the garage to two cars would make the house inconsistent with nearby homes. He estimated the house at “just under 1,700 square feet” on the main floor and said the parcel violated the 25-foot Ridgeview Drive setback by “not quite a foot.” He referred board members to plan drawings (page 918), which show a small shaded area where the variance is requested.

Dylan (city staff) explained the request is under the administrative 10% threshold and thus is before the Board only because staff cannot approve it unilaterally; he described the item as effectively a head nod to allow staff to administratively grant the variance. Aldermen indicated they were “okay with it” and gave the informal approval. There was no formal resolution or roll-call vote recorded; Schmidt was thanked and told staff would process the approval.

Ending: Staff will proceed administratively to document the requested setback allowance consistent with the Board’s informal approval; the request does not appear to trigger a variance hearing before the Board of Zoning Adjustment because it is under the administrative threshold.