A developer has withdrawn a request to break from standards for new homes in Greenwood that city council members had opposed.
CalAtlantic Homes, which got approval to develop a new 68-home neighborhood near Honey Creek and Averitt roads last year, asked to be allowed to use thinner vinyl siding, a reduced slope pitch for the roof and allow for the garage to make up a larger percent of the total exterior of the home.
City council members opposed the request, saying variance requests are intended for unique circumstances, where city rules might make it difficult to develop a property. City council president Mike Campbell said there weren’t any unique circumstances with this particular project.
This week, the developer withdrew the requests to not follow the city’s standards on the vinyl siding and roof pitch.
The board of zoning appeals approved the request to extend the garage exterior. Members of the board said they approved the variance while remaining consistent with the city council’s standards.
Campbell said the approved request follows what the council already intended to add as an amendment. He said the council requested the variance to expand the garage exterior to 65 percent versus the current 50 percent be added to the current standards.
The city council is glad the developer chose to withdraw the other two requests, Campbell said.
“We did not see a reason why BZA would grant the variances,” he said. “This shows we are serious about our standards.”
