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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6871-A - 9 Longfellow Lane - BOA Staff RptJUNE 17, 2021 ITEM NO. 1 Z-6871-A 1 File No.: Z-6871-A Owners: Ray and Wendy Parker Applicant: Frank Riggins Address: 9 Longfellow Lane Legal Description: Lot 5, Beverly Place, an addition to the City of Little Rock Zoned: R-2 Present Use: Single-family Residence Proposed Use: Single-family Residence Variance(s) Requested: A variance is requested from area regulations of Sec. 36-254 to allow a reduced rear yard setback in the R-2 district. Justification: The applicant’s justification is presented as per the attached letter dated April 19, 2021. STAFF REPORT A. Planning and Development Civil Engineering Comments: No Comments. B. Buffering and Landscape Comments: In October 2020 the City adopted the “Heights Landscape Design Overlay District,” requiring installation of one (1) tree per forty (40) linear feet of street frontage within the Heights District Boundary, applicable to [among other types] residential construction in excess of 600 square feet. C. Building Codes Comments: The required fire separation distance (building to property line) prescribed by the building code terminates at five (5) feet. Buildings are allowed to be closer than five (5) feet if they have properly constructed fire walls which provide the requisite one (1) hour fire resistance rating. When buildings are five (5) feet or more from the property line, the requirement no longer applies to the wall itself, only the projections such as eaves or overhangs. D. Staff Analysis: JUNE 17, 2021 ITEM NO. 1 Z-6871-A 2 The property at 9 Longfellow Lane is located in the predominantly R-2 zoned neighborhood, within the Heights Landscape Design Overlay District. This overlay district generally has no bearing on the subject variance requests. The subject property is located on the south side of the street, the second parcel east of the intersection of Longfellow Lane and Beverly Place. The existing masonry home was built in 1930 and has undergone various improvements throughout the years typical of homes in this neighborhood. One of these improvements is a deck attached to the back of the residence which extends into the rear yard setback. In addition, there is a detached 10 x 18 brick building located in the rear yard. This detached structure is located within the allowable setbacks. The sketch provided by the applicant indicates a proposal for 10.5-feet x 8.5-foot detached carport on the west side of the rear yard. This structure is shown to be located within the allowable setbacks. The existing deck will be renovated, be connected to the back of the residence, and will include a screened-in pergola structure. The proposed additions will extend the primary structure into the 25-foot rear yard setback. The pergola is indicated to be 20-feet x 18-feet and rotated diagonally 45 degrees from the house. The new deck will generally occupy the same space and square footage as the previous structure. The pergola will be placed approximately 15-feet further back from the residence and be constructed entirely within the rear yard setback. The south corner of this new building is indicated to be 3-feet 9-inches from the rear property line. The applicant has stated that a privacy fence and landscaping will be provided between the new structure and the neighboring south property. Section 36-254(d)(3) of the City’s Zoning Ordinance requires a minimum rear setback of twenty-five (25) feet. The applicant requests a variance to allow the extension of the primary structure 21-feet 3-inches into the rear yard setback. Staff finds the request to generally be in conformance with the development pattern in the Heights neighborhood and nearby area. Based on the above assessment and analysis, staff finds the requested variances to be reasonable. E. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested rear yard setback reduction from twenty-five (25) feet to a minimum of 3-feet 9-inches with the following conditions: 1. A building permit being obtained for all construction. 2. Install trees, if deemed applicable at the time of building permitting, in accordance with Heights Landscape Design Overlay District requirements.