4021 Queen Avenue South Steep Slope Variance

At a glance

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What: a variance to allow a two-story single-family house with an attached garage within 40 feet of the top of a steep slope in the Shoreline Overlay District, on a 6,583-square-foot interior lot at 4021 Queen Avenue South where the previous house was recently demolished. Any development on the lot needs the variance. The applicant is a builder (Dream Homes) that does teardowns and rebuilds.
Where it stands: approved 7-0 on October 22, following staff's recommendation, with a condition that soil erosion controls stay in place through construction.
Next: site plan review and building permit, including drainage review.

Staff found the slope is a unique circumstance, the use fits the ordinance's intent, and shoreline standards are met (erosion control, new vegetation, no effect on visibility from protected waters).
Two neighbors opposed. One said the contours shown were false because the developer had trucked in fill and raised the back of the lot without permits, and worried about runoff onto his driveway; the other feared a "blanket check" to build closer to the slope and parkland. Staff said Environmental Health has an open enforcement case and keeps monitoring.
The applicant said retaining walls and swales are on the site plan and that the lot would sit lower than neighbors. Members said drainage will be reviewed at permitting and the board rules only on the variance.

2026-10-22 - Zoning Board of Adjustment - Public hearing with two neighbors against; variance approved 7-0.