BRENHAM BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APPROVES LOT WIDTH VARIANCE

  

The Brenham Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a lot width variance request at its meeting Monday.

The board approved the request from Michael and Lana Jo Branton to allow a 44-foot front lot width instead of the required 60 feet.  The variance will be used to build a single-family home on 8.25 acres of land on the north end of the Scenic Estates subdivision, and will allow the property owners to put in an asphalt driveway at the entrance point off of Twisted Oak Drive.

Prior to the meeting, city staff received comments from residents who expressed concerns about the owners’ plans for the property, asking whether livestock would be kept on the property, if additional lots would be platted, if the property would be used for multi-family development and whether drainage concerns would be addressed.

Speaking on those comments, Michael Branton said his plans are to build a single-family home, fence the entire property, and clean out and regrade the drainage areas that drain onto the property.  He also said he plans to work with his neighbors through the process.

Project Planner Shauna Laauwe said the property will have to be platted before it can be developed with a single-family home.  The city requires covenants and restrictions for common and drainage areas of developments to ensure they are maintained.

Laauwe noted that even with the approval of this variance, the property cannot be developed into multiple single-family lots without the purchase of additional property, since a street requires a minimum 55-foot right-of-way.  The property cannot be developed into multi-family housing due to the zoning and the lot width issue.