Sevierville board lets staff approve Cherokee Path Way garage addition after administrative interpretation

The Sevierville Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously agreed June 4 that city staff may administratively approve an attached garage addition at 269 Cherokee Path Way rather than the applicant seeking a front-yard setback variance.

Corey Divel, Development Director, told the board the property is an existing residence on a lot with frontage on two streets, creating an unusual setback situation. He said the proposed attached garage and retaining wall would place the garage 5 feet 8 inches from the front property line, and that the minimum front-yard setback is 30 feet. Divel added that the existing house already encroaches into the setback area and the proposed addition would not sit closer to the street than the current structure.

Board members discussed the lot’s curved roadway, the applicability of neighborhood-average setbacks in established areas, and whether an administrative interpretation by staff could resolve the matter without a formal variance. Butch Stott moved to interpret that, because the addition would not encroach closer than the existing structure, staff could approve the project administratively; Daryl Roberts seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The applicant was listed as David Ogle and the property tax reference is Tax Map 38J Group A Parcel 42.00. Staff also submitted a sample motion report for the board’s review during the meeting.