HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6495 Staff AnalysisMay 18, 1998
Item No.• 10
File No.: Z-6495
Owner: Max Davis/Greg Davis, Applicant
Address: 10 DuQuesne Drive
Description: Lot 140, Block 48, DuQuesne Place
Zoned• R-2
Variance Re ested: Variances are requested from the
building line provisions of Section
31-12 and the area regulations of
Section 36-254 to permit steps to
be built across a platted line and
which would have a reduced front
yard setback.
Justification: Applicant's Statement: The lot on
which the house is constructed is a
wide lot, but is very narrow. The
lot is only 85 feet wide at one
end, making it very difficult to
construct an appropriate house on
the lot without a small variance
for the front steps. The entire
structure itself is within the
allotted setbacks; however, when
constructing the steps from the
front door, due to the narrow lot
and the steep slope from left to
right, a total of eleven steps were
necessary to reach the front door.
The steps are the only thing
extending beyond the setback.
These steps will be attractively
constructed and blended with the
landscaping, creating a view making
this home a real asset to the
neighborhood and will in no way
look out of place. This is my
personal home and I will make sure
it is appropriately finished to be
pleasing to our view as well as the
neighborhood.
Present Use of Property: Single Family
Proposed Use of _Property: Single Family
May 18, 1998
Item No.: 10(Cont.)
Staff Report:
A. Public works Issues:
Stormwater detention Ordinance applies to this property.
B. Staff Analysis:
The R-2 zoned property at 10 DuQuesne Drive is occupied by a
new, large single-family residence which is nearing
completion. The entire house itself has been constructed
within the required setbacks and building lines. The lot
drops in elevation approximately 16 feet from south to
north. Due to the slope of the property, the front entrance
of the house is located 8 feet above grade. In order to
have access to the front door, steps will have to be
constructed which will extend 11 feet across the platted 25
foot front building line. Four foot tall brick or wrought
iron hand rails will be placed on the steps. No roof will
extend across the platted building line.
Staff believes it is a reasonable to grant the requested
variance. The applicant has presented a true hardship, all
be it of his own making, in that without a variance, access
cannot be gained to the front door. The steps will result
in a front yard setback of 14 feet and will end 27± feet
from the curb of the street. The visual impact of the
stairs can be somewhat mitigated by additional filling to
raise the grade of the ground and by plantings of shrubbery
along the base of the stairs.
Should the Board approve the building line variance, the
applicant will have to do a one -lot replat, reflecting the
change in the building line. The applicant should review
the filing procedure with the Circuit Clerk to determine if
the replat requires a revised Bill of Assurance.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested building line and
setback variances for the stairs subject to compliance with
the following conditions:
1. A one -lot replat reflecting the change in the building
line as approved by the Board.
2. The stairs are to remain uncovered, no portion of the
roof line may extend across the building line.
3. Shrubbery should be planted along the base of the
stairs to help mitigate the visual impact.
2
May 18, 1998
Item No.: 10 (Cont
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (MAY 18, 1998)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject
to compliance with the following conditions:
1. A one -lot replat reflecting the change in the building line
as approved by the Board.
2. The stairs are to remain uncovered, no portion of the roof
line may extend across the building line.
3. Shrubbery should be planted along the base of the stairs to
help mitigate the visual impact.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff. The vote was 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent.
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