HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOA Action Letter 080320 Approved with ConditionsAugust 03, 2020
July 30, 2020
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2721 N. Fillmore Street
Kristen and Carlton Saffa Z-9518
2721 N. Fillmore Street
Area Variance
Mr. & Mrs. Saffa
Z-9518
Little Rock, Arkansas 72207
July 30, 2020
ITEM A Z-9518
1
File No.: Z-9518
Owner: Kristen and Carlton Saffa
Applicant: Kristen Saffa
Address: 2721 N. Fillmore Street
Legal Description: Lot 1, Block 17, Park View Addition
Zoned: R-2
Present Use: Single-family Residence
Proposed Use: Single-family Residence
Variance Requested: A variance is requested to Sec. 36-156(a)(2)c. to allow an
accessory building to occupy more than 30 percent of the
required rear yard area.
Justification: The applicant’s justification is presented in a letter submitted
with the May 13, 2020 application. Note: At staff request, the
applicant has significantly altered proposed plans, eliminating
the need for three of four initially applied-for variances.
STAFF REPORT
A.Engineering Comments:
No driveway shall be constructed within five (5) feet of a line drawn from the point
of intersection of a property line with the right-of-way line of a street and
perpendicular to the centerline of the street. The applicant has agreed not to place
the driveway nearer than five feet to the east property line.
B.Landscape and Buffer Issues:
No comments.
C.Staff Analysis:
The R-2 zoned property located at 2721 N. Fillmore Street is occupied by a one-
story single-family residence with an existing integrated 180sf carport/100sf shed in
the rear yard. The current one-car carport/shed is open on three sides and oriented
toward Z Street, a “side street” providing access to other driveways and garages on
the block (no houses presently front this block of Z Street.). The existing driveway
to the carport/shed is approximately 8 feet long (too short to accommodate parked
automobiles.)
July 30, 2020
ITEM A Z-9518
2
The requested variance is intended to accommodate an enclosed two-car garage
and a second story multi-purpose space (i.e., play room, workout space, temporary
guest space, etc.)
Rear Yard Coverage
Section 36-156(a)(2)c. states, “Accessory buildings or structures in the R-1 through
R-4A districts… may not occupy more than thirty (30) percent of the required rear
yard area.” The proposed detached garage will accommodate two cars and ground
floor storage space, and upstairs finished space, in character with the detached
garage directly across Z Street, and similar to numerous other residential properties
generally throughout the Heights neighborhood. The proposed drive will be
lengthened to approximately 18 feet and, with the garage structure, will constitute
three more off-street parking spaces than currently exist. The proposed building falls
within all required setback lines.
According to the Zoning Ordinance, allowable rear yard coverage is 337.5 SF (30.0
percent.) The subject improvements will generate required rear yard coverage of
594.0 SF (52.8 percent.) This garage coverage is, again, similar to the garage
across the street and to numerous other properties in the general vicinity.
The adjacent property owner to the south, who lives elsewhere and leases said
adjacent house to others, expressed concern with the variance request although no
outright objection was indicated. Numerous other neighbors have expressed their
support of the subject variance. Staff views the request as reasonable and is
supportive for the above-stated reasons.
D.Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance, per the attached site plan,
with the following conditions:
1.The driveway shall be placed no closer than five feet to the east/rear
property line.
2.The accessory building may not be used as a rented or leased dwelling unit.
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Board of Adjustment (July 30, 2020)
The applicant was present. There was one person registered in support and no persons registered in opposition. Staff presented the item and recommendation of approval as outlined in the "staff recommendation" above. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and approved as recommended by staff, including all staff comments and conditions. The vote was 5 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. The application was approved.