Commission recommends reduced rear setback for pool at Westlake subdivision property

The Columbia County Planning Commission on March 19 recommended approval of a major PUD revision at 4102 Shady Oaks Drive to reduce the rear setback from 10 feet to 5 feet to permit a 10-by-25-foot in-ground pool.

Danielle, planning staff, explained that the lot in the Westlake subdivision is irregular and the proposed pool meets side setbacks but needs a reduced rear setback; she said the homeowners association reviewed and approved the request and agreed to handle additional landscaping that staff had previously proposed as a condition. Staff recommended approval without the landscaping condition.

Applicant Hamid Malik introduced himself for the record and said the pool was requested for medical reasons, noting scheduling and health issues that make public pools impractical. A commissioner moved to recommend approval of file RZ26-03-08 and the motion carried by voice vote.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, which will take final action on April 21, 2026.