The Cochise County Board of Adjustment voted to approve two variance requests that reduce the minimum required side-yard setback from 20 feet to 10 feet for detached outbuildings at two separate residential properties.

Staff presented both applications and recommended approval without conditions. Docket VAR 25-01 would allow a 288-square-foot detached garage shed at 2622 East Papago Trail in Huachuca Mountain Village, near Sierra Vista. Docket VAR 25-02 would allow a 1,200-square-foot storage building at 2530 East Smith Drive, about three-quarters of a mile northeast of Tombstone.

The variance requests were presented under the county's zoning regulations. For VAR 25-01, staff said the application seeks relief from section 2.2404 of the zoning regulations to reduce the west property-line setback for a 288-square-foot detached garage shed. Staff reported mailing 20 notices to property owners within 300 feet and receiving four responses in favor; staff said the structure has limited visibility from Papago Trail and received support from a nearby owner. "Staff recommends approval of Docket VAR 25-01 without conditions, reducing the minimum required setback from 20 feet to 10 feet along the west property line for a 288-square-foot detached garage shed," a county planner said.

The applicant for VAR 25-01, Christopher Palethier, told the board he placed the proposed structure to minimize impacts on neighbors' sight lines and property uses. "We wanted to have the least impact on their visual', you know, their sight lines," Palethier said, adding the shed will be enclosed, built on a poured-concrete floor with one garage door, a side entry door and electrical service but no plumbing.

For VAR 25-02, staff said the application seeks relief from section 2.1804 of the zoning regulations (as presented at the meeting) to reduce the west property-line setback for a detached 1,200-square-foot storage building. Staff reported mailing 11 notices within 300 feet and receiving one response in favor from the adjacent property owner to the west. The planner noted existing vegetation provides screening and that the proposed location is about 50 feet from the nearest neighboring residence. "Based on the factors in favor of approval, staff recommends approval of Docket VAR 25-02 without conditions, reducing the minimum required setback from 20 feet to 10 feet along the west property line for a 1,200-square-foot storage building," the planner said.

Applicant John Smith described the storage building as a metal-design structure with no plumbing and said he had discussed the plan with the neighbor to the west. "It's going to be a metal design building... no water or anything," Smith said during the hearing, and added the structure will have one garage door and an access door on the north side.

A board member moved to approve each docket "without conditions as recommended by staff," and another board member seconded both motions. For each docket the chair called for a vote and members answered "Aye." Each motion carried.

The approvals permit the applicants to begin permitting and building processes subject to any required county building permits and inspections. The board did not attach special conditions to either approval during the hearing.

Minutes of the meeting indicate the board held a public hearing for each docket, received applicant presentations and staff reports, and closed the public hearings before taking votes.