The Wylie Zoning Board of Adjustment on Oct. 20 unanimously approved a variance allowing Derek and Christina Wagner to build a 1,300-square-foot accessory garage/workshop at 1903 Stonecrest Trail.

City planning staff told the board the planned structure would exceed the Riverchase planned development's 600-square-foot limit for accessory buildings and would bring total accessory coverage on the lot above the ordinance maximum. The proposed building would have 12-foot-high walls and a 15-foot, 3-inch peak; the development's height limit for accessory buildings is 15 feet. Staff said the lot is over 20,000 square feet, the structure meets setback requirements and the applicant has a homeowners association letter of support conditioned on required city permits.

The variance was introduced during the board's regular agenda. Molina, a city staff member presenting the item, said the applicant was requesting variance ZBA No. 2025-14 to allow a 1,300-square-foot accessory structure that would function as a garage and workshop. Molina said an existing accessory building on the lot measures about 204 square feet and that the lot lies in the Riverchase plan development approved in 1990, which sets a 600-square-foot maximum for accessory structures. Molina reported that notices were mailed to 12 property owners and that staff received three written approvals (two from the same address and one from the property owner). Molina also noted the lot backs up to a floodplain and said the applicant likely will not have immediate neighbors directly behind the property.

The applicant, Derek Wagner, spoke to the board before the hearing was opened. Wagner said he restored machines, does woodworking and metalworking and wants space to work and to share skills with family members who live nearby. "I do woodworking, metalworking and I like to restore all machines and work on cars," Wagner told the board. He said he had not been aware of the 600-square-foot restriction when he bought the lot and pointed out other larger accessory buildings in the neighborhood.

The board opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke. After discussion, a board member moved to approve the variance as submitted and a second moved the motion. The board voted 5-0 to approve the variance.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (consent agenda): Motion to approve the Sept. 15 minutes passed, 5-0.
- ZBA 2025-14, Derek and Christina Wagner, variance request for 1903 Stonecrest Trail: Motion to approve as submitted passed, 5-0. The approval permits a 1,300-square-foot accessory structure exceeding the Riverchase PD 600-square-foot accessory limit and the city's accessory building height limit (proposed peak 15'3").

The board noted that the applicant has an HOA letter of support and that the structure meets setback requirements, including a 5-foot side setback. The board adjourned and confirmed its next meeting for Nov. 17.

(Reporting note: The transcript spelled the governing body name as "Wiley," which has been normalized in this report to the municipality name "Wylie." All technical measurements and counts reflect the figures stated by staff at the Oct. 20 meeting.)