Board approves variance for Idlewood Court lot but requires geotechnical and stormwater sign‑offs

The Wilson County Board of Zoning Appeals granted variances to allow a proposed house to sit 20 feet from the west rear property line and for a modest lot‑size shortfall for a lot at 500 Idlewood Court, but tied the approval to two explicit stipulations: (1) a licensed geotechnical compaction report verifying that engineered fill and field construction did not compromise required septic/perk areas, and (2) final sign‑off from the county Stormwater office.

Surveyor Brian Keith (KN&A Land Surveying) told the board the lot is an older tract of record (deeds to 1972) and that the requested relief responds to corner‑lot geometry and marginal soils. Planning staff recommended approval on that basis and noted a plat had been prepared to correct the historical record. Several neighbors and County Commissioner Lauren Breeze expressed concern that large amounts of fill had been placed on the lot, that only a two‑bedroom perk had been obtained and that the fill and future impervious surface could affect runoff to a pond and a blue‑line stream that flows toward Old Hickory Lake. The builder and applicant said a geotechnical engineer monitored the fill lifts, provided compaction documentation and that a land‑disturbance permit and stormwater review were in process.

After extended public discussion the board voted to grant the variances but made the approval contingent on delivery of a geotechnical compaction report prepared by a licensed geotechnical engineer and final stormwater sign‑off before a zoning compliance signature or building permit would be issued. The motion also recorded that Board Member Neil recused himself from the vote.

By making the variance conditional, the board preserved its authority to ensure engineering and stormwater requirements are met at subsequent administrative steps; the applicant and surveyor said the platting and permitting process would address many neighbor concerns before a structure could be built.