The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance on March 10 allowing a stairway at 12 Collin Toney Drive to remain 8 feet from the side property line where 15 feet is required.

Builder John Collentoni of Bridal Q Inc. told the board the stairway and side-door egress were added during construction to address the site's constraints. Collentoni said the lot's shape and an earlier right-of-way easement limited where an egress could be located and that the stairway was installed before the applicants realized a variance would be required. “If the vote is no, that we will have to take down the stairway,” Collentoni said, adding the materials used are composite decking that allows water to pass through.

Collentoni said six neighboring homeowners submitted letters of support for the request. Several board members said the requested dimension is less than half the required setback and that the structure would not be substantially more detrimental to adjacent properties.

The board voted to grant the variance, finding the proposed alteration would not be substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood and that adjacent properties would not be adversely affected. The motion passed unanimously.