Germantown Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Summary – June 9, 2026

The Board of Zoning Appeals met on June 9, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The board considered two variance requests: a variance for encroachments at 8482 Steinerbridge Lane and a variance for accessory structures (a pickleball court and an outdoor television screen) at 3570 Forest Hill Irene Road. Both cases were approved after discussion and amendments.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the February 10, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case 26-014 (8482 Steinerbridge Ln): Elena Holcomb, the applicant's real estate agent, spoke in favor, stating that the variance was needed to allow the sale of the property and that the applicant had experienced undue stress due to the delay. Jason Harris, a surveyor, suggested recording a document with the deed to ensure the variance is discoverable in future title searches. No one spoke in opposition.
• Case 26-015 (3570 Forest Hill Irene Rd): Applicant Fahim Jiwani spoke in favor, explaining that the pickleball court and TV screen were built without proper permits due to a contractor’s error, and expressed willingness to obtain all necessary permits. Neighbor Marshall Cook spoke in opposition, expressing concerns about light glare from the court’s lights, the brightness of the property, and potential noise from the court. He noted that the lights appear higher than the reported 14 feet and that the court is close to his property line. No other opposition was voiced.

Discussion Items

• Case 26-014 (8482 Steinerbridge Ln): Staff presented that the request for a utility easement encroachment was no longer needed because the recorded easement was incorrect. The variance sought was for a 1.74-foot encroachment into the west side yard setback and a 9.26-foot encroachment into the east side yard setback. The board discussed that the error originated from the 1997 recorded plat and that the house was built in 1998 without anyone catching the issue. The board debated whether to require re-recording the plat to correct the setbacks, but ultimately decided the variance was sufficient. The board also noted that the property is being sold and the variance was needed to clear a title issue.
• Case 26-015 (3570 Forest Hill Irene Rd): Staff outlined two requests: (1) a determination that the outdoor television screen (439 sq ft, 17 ft 5.125 in high by 24 ft 11.75 in wide) is an accessory structure, and (2) a variance for the pickleball court (2,847 sq ft, 8 ft high glass walls) to exceed the maximum allowable area in the required rear yard (22% of rear yard, versus the allowed 10%) and to be located 7 ft from the side property line. The board discussed whether the TV screen qualified as an accessory structure; staff confirmed it fell within allowable size limits if deemed an accessory structure. The board decided to treat the TV screen as an appeal of staff’s non-determination and approved it as an accessory structure. For the pickleball court, the board debated lighting, noise, and the fact that it was built without permits. Conditions were added: a photometric plan demonstrating zero light bleed at the property line (consistent with Design Review Commission requirements), automatic light shutoff by 11 PM, and a prohibition on any additional accessory structures in the required rear yard. The board also noted that the applicant must obtain retroactive building and grading permits.

Key Outcomes

• Case 26-014 (26-014): Approved unanimously (7–0) to allow the principal structure to encroach 1.74 feet into the west side yard setback and 9.26 feet into the east side yard setback, subject to staff comments and the site plan. The board encouraged the applicant to re-record the plat to correct the recorded easement error.
• Case 26-015 – TV Screen: Approved unanimously (7–0) as an accessory structure determination, subject to staff comments and the site plan. No variance criteria were required.
• Case 26-015 – Pickleball Court: Approved 6–1 (Mr. Town voted no) to allow the accessory structure to exceed the maximum allowable area in the rear yard and to be located 7 ft from the side property line, with the following conditions: submission of a photometric plan showing zero light bleed, automatic light shutoff by 11 PM, and no additional accessory structures in the required rear yard. The applicant must also obtain retroactive building and grading permits.
• The board reminded members of continuing education requirements and encouraged participation in the city’s comprehensive plan update.