The Planning Commission voted to approve demolition and the site plan for a new single-family dwelling after the Board of Zoning Appeals granted multiple variances for the project. Commissioners Thomas, Irvin, Casey and Rapp voted yes on the motion; the development agreement and requirement to post a bond were included in the approval.

The decision follows the BZA action, which, according to the applicant, granted a lot coverage variance, a rear setback variance tied to the dwelling height, and a special permit for basement bedrooms. "I'm presenting the project again exactly as I presented it last month in light of the approval of the board of zoning appeals," the applicant said during the meeting.

The Architectural Review Board (ARB) also reviewed the design and provided conditional comments, the applicant said. "It was approved. There were a couple of comments, just suggestions ... add window to the left side bathroom, white downspouts," the applicant said, describing ARB's finish and detail recommendations.

Commissioners discussed neighborhood fit and scale. One commissioner noted concerns that the proposed house is "considerably larger than the existing home that's on the lot" and that it might appear out of place next to smaller adjacent homes. The applicant responded that lot depths and some larger homes on the block mean the proposed design would sit among other varied-scale houses.

The planning staff confirmed construction documents and outstanding department comments would be addressed before work proceeds. A building department representative said there were no unresolved building-department objections on record. The applicant acknowledged that the construction documents would incorporate the ARB suggestions and other comments.

Formal action: the commission approved demolition and the site plan, including a development agreement and posting of a bond; staff committed to provide the development-agreement details to the property owners. No conditions were added to reverse the BZA variances; the commission stated it would respect the BZA and ARB decisions.

Next steps: the applicant must finalize construction documents that respond to ARB and county comments, and the development agreement will be circulated to the owners prior to construction.