HomeMy WebLinkAboutCover Letter 110122September 12, 2022
Dear Planning and Development Staff.
Enclosed is an application for the Board of Adjustment Residential Zoning Variance.
We are currently building a home for Dr. Bill Steinbach and Dr. Susan Emmett, who have
relocated their family here to work with Arkansas Children's Hospital/UAMS.
We are requesting three variances with the BOA, all of which we feel are to the benefit of future
property owners and adjoining neighbors.
#1. We were previously granted a variance from the BOA to build a house with a four car
attached garage with a 10 foot setback in the rear. Upon applying for the building permit, we
were informed by the permit staff that due to recent changes in policy we would need to apply
for an additional variance in order to construct the driveway needed for the garage, as it would
exceed 25 feet.
Since it would be impossible to utilize the four car garage that we received a previous variance
without a driveway to accommodate it, we are requesting a variance to build a driveway the full
width of the garage, which is approximately 41 feet. Due to the short distance between
Ampersand and the garage, it would not be possible to get vehicles into the approved garage
spaces.
42. We would like to expand the retaining wall to sit just inside the east property line.
We currently have a permit to build a wall approximately 3 feet from the East property line. We
would like to request a variance that allows us to build the wall just inside the property line.
Placing the retaining wall just inside the property line without obtaining a variance has been the
common practice in Little Rock until recent policy changes. The vast majority of retaining walls
within the city are typically built just inside the property line. In most cases and in this one, it is
to the benefit of the neighbors to place the wall just inside the property line to help control storm
water issues. By utilizing a retaining wall, it allows the grade of the back yard to be raised so that
water can be directed away from the existing natural slope, which has caused drainage problems
for neighbors in the past, and towards city storm drains. We can use a series of catch basins and a
drainage system that allows us to send the water that lands on the new home and in the area
within the retaining wall to the street where the city has recently installed an updated storm
system.
In addition, our Engineer, Steve Garrett, has been able to design a wall system that does not
require any access beyond our property lines in order to build and maintain the retaining wall.
#3. We would also like to expand a retaining wall just inside the South property line.
Please see all of the reasons described in Item #2.
Thank you in advance for the staffs assistance. Please do not hesitate to call me at (501)
351-6455 or email me at dda %- n Ili IIorna mai1.com with any concerns or questions. We appreciate
your time in this matter.
Sincerely,
Jeff Fuller
Jeff Fuller Homes, LLC