Spalding County officials approved variances for a proposed R‑6 townhome development at 1471 Macon Road that change several development standards while keeping required amenity commitments intact.

The applicants, Christopher and Wendy Laverso (parcel 22901002, Land Lot 204 of the Second Land District), sought multiple variances affecting lot width, setbacks and internal circulation for a 16.1‑acre site. County staff said the current concept plan includes a designated amenity area — shown on the plan as a pool, tennis court and clubhouse — and that detailed layouts of those amenities must appear on civil plans before any land‑disturbance or building permits will be issued.

Staff described the requested variances as: elimination of rear‑entry alleyways, allowing townhome lots with 25‑foot front and rear setbacks (instead of a 100‑foot standard cited in the code excerpt), permitting 0‑foot side setbacks typical for attached units, and flexibility on townhome width. The applicant proposed allowing up to 50% of townhome units to be 20 feet wide, with the balance 24 feet wide; staff said it preferred a larger share of 24‑foot units but did not oppose some 20‑foot units.

“My name is Nick Griffiths...we agree with all the conditions,” said Nick Griffiths, who spoke for the applicant team and asked the board to permit up to 50% of the units at 20 foot width. County staff confirmed that approval condition number 3 in the staff report requires civil plans to show detailed layouts of all required amenities prior to issuance of land‑disturbance or building permits.

Board members discussed the specifics and inserted a condition that no more than 50% of townhomes be 20 feet wide; they also confirmed there would be no limit on the number of three‑bedroom units and that the amenity area must be provided as shown. A motion to approve the variances, based on staff recommendations and including the 50% cap on 20‑foot units, passed unanimously.

The approval carries conditions that civil/construction plans must illustrate the pool, clubhouse, tennis courts and decorative streetlights before permits will be issued, and that final civil plans must reflect the setback and lot‑width conditions approved by the board.