Board denies Dunlops’ request to reduce front setback for proposed home

The Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals on July 9 denied a variance request by Scott and Lori Dunlop that would have reduced a 40‑foot front setback to 24.2 feet for a proposed residence at 11202 Charlie Drive.

The applicants said the lot is under half an acre and constrained by a 25‑foot critical area setback and a sewage‑reserve area, leaving a limited building envelope that would force a portion of the attached garage to encroach into the front setback. “The required setbacks have really limited our opportunity to build our home without needing a variance,” the applicant said, adding neighbors on either side had signed site surveys indicating they did not object.

Board members pressed whether the applicants had explored alternatives and noted the requested relief was primarily for a portion of the garage. Staff and the applicants discussed prior local variance cases in the neighborhood where relief had been granted for similar encroachments.

After discussion, a motion to grant the variance failed 4–2. The board did not adopt the requested front‑setback reduction; the applicants may revise plans and reapply or seek other administrative remedies.

The denial leaves the applicants to redesign or pursue other channels to accommodate the garage placement, including seeking additional approvals from environmental or state agencies if necessary.