Z-8617 Staff AnalysisDECEMBER 20, 2010
ITEM NO.: 2
File No.: Z-8617
Owner: Gay D. White
Applicant: Ed K. Willis
Address: 5424 Hawthorne Road
Description: Lot 7R, Block 6, Newton's Addition
Zoned: R-2
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the area provisions of Section 36-
254 and the building line provisions of Section 31-12 to allow a porch addition with a
reduced front setback and which crosses a platted building line.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Single Family Residential
Proposed Use of Property: Single Family Residential
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No Comments
B. Staff Analysis:
The R-2 zoned property at 5424 Hawthorne Road is occupied by a one-story brick
and frame single family residence. The property is located at the northeast corner
of Hawthorne Road and a private road access to St. John's Place Addition
(formerly Polk Street). There is a two -car wide driveway from the private roadway
to a garage on the west side of the residence. The lot contains a 25 foot front
platted building line, as well as a side platted building line along the old Polk Street
frontage. The residence is currently being remodeled.
As part of the remodeling project, the applicant proposes to construct an eight (8)
foot by 28 foot covered porch on front of the residence, as noted on the attached
site plan and elevation sketches. The proposed porch will be unenclosed on its
south, east and west sides. It will be located 18 to 19 feet back from the front
(south) property line, and cross the front platted building line by six (6) to seven (7)
feet.
DECEMBER 20, 2010
ITEM NO.: 2
Section 36-254(d)(1) of the City's Zoning Ordinance requires a minimum front
setback of 25 feet. Section 31-12( c) of the Subdivision Ordinance requires that
building line encroachments be reviewed and approved by the Board of Adjustment.
Therefore, the applicant is requesting variances from these ordinance standards to
allow the building addition with reduced front setback and which crosses a front
platted building line.
Staff is supportive of the requested setback and building line variances. Staff
views the request as reasonable. The existing residence has no front porch or
covered entry area. The proposed porch will provide a protected entry to the
residence as well as add to the structure's street appeal. The proposed porch will
not be out of character with other structures in this immediate area along the north
side of Hawthorne Road. Other structures within this block and the blocks to the
east and west have similar front setbacks as proposed by the applicant. Staff
believes the proposed porch addition will have no adverse impact on the adjacent
properties or the general area.
If the Board approves the building line variance, the applicant will have to complete
a one -lot replat reflecting the change in the platted front building line for the porch
addition. The applicant should review the filing procedure with the Circuit Clerk's
office to determine if the replat requires a revised Bill of Assurance.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested setback and building line variances,
subject to the following conditions:
1. Completion of a one -lot replat reflecting the change in the front platted
building line as approved by the Board.
2. The building addition must be constructed to match the existing residence.
3. The south, east and west sides of the porch addition must remain
unenclosed.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (DECEMBER 20, 2010)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the
application with a recommendation of approval, with conditions.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved, as recommended by staff,
with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent and 1 open position.