HomeMy WebLinkAboutCover Letter 083021Adam & Jill Fogleman
620 East 16°i Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
August 23, 2021
Members of the
Board of Adjustment
500 W. Markham
Little Rock, AR 72201
RE: 614 East 161h Street
Dear Members of the Board:
Our desire, and design, is to construct a home that compliments the traditional
urban form of our street and neighborhood. As indicated in the attached plot plan, the
configuration of the home includes a side courtyard as a prominent feature. The side court cannot
be included in a configuration fitting within existing setback requirements. The first stated
purpose and intent of the R-4 district is to provide for "the development of two-family
residential structures in spacious surroundings." LR Code 36-256(a). The stated intent was
central to the design of the proposed home.
The lot at 614 East 161h Street measures fifty (50) feet wide by one hundred and forty feet
deep. It is bounded by 161h Street on its south and a twenty (20) foot wide alley on its north. This
was the standard lot size platted prior to World War II; however, it is now non -conforming due
to changes to municipal code. See LR Code 36-256(d)(4). City code for this lot requires a
twenty-five (25) foot front and rear setback, except, if detached, the garage may be constructed
with zero (0) setback as long as lot coverage does not exceed 30% of that setback area. LR Code
36-256(d)(1)&(3); 36-156(a)(2)(c)&(f).
We currently live two (2) doors east at 620 E. 161h Street. That home has a fifteen (15)
foot front setback. The home next door at 618 E. 161h Street has a front setback of approximately
twenty-three and one-half (23.5) feet. The home on the west of the subject lot has a front setback
of twenty-six (26) feet. The front setback on each of these is measured from the front boundary
to the front of the front porch; however, the exterior walls of 610 and 618 nearest the front
boundary are each approximately one and one-half (1.5) feet further back.
We are requesting a reduced front setback of twenty (20) feet to allow for the
construction of our personal residence. The home will fit within the code -required side yard
setbacks. The attached plot plan depicts the footprint of the proposed improvements. The first
Adam & Jill Fogleman
620 East 16'h Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
eight (8) feet on the front of the home will be open porch space. The exterior wall nearest to the
front property boundary is setback twenty-eight (28) feet from the front property boundary —
further back than both neighboring properties. Without the grant of a variance, the proposed
placement will require deletion or reduction of the front porch roof.
We are also requesting a reduced rear setback of eighteen (18) feet to allow for the
attachment of the garage to the home. If detached, the garage is permitted by right as an
accessory structure.
We ask that you grant this variance so that the full depth of the porch may be covered and
the garage can be attached by common wall as part of the primary structure, in our effort to
accomplish the purpose and intent of the District: the development of residential structures in
spacious surroundings.
We appreciate your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
Adam & Jill Fogleman
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