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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6620 Staff AnalysisFebruary 22, 1999 Item No.: 2 File No.: Z-6620 Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Billy Ray Smith Address: #4 Forest Heights Place Description: Lot 94 and part of Lot 60, Forest Heights Place Zoned: R-2 Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the area regulations of Section 36-254 and the building line provisions of Section 31-12 to permit a carport addition with reduced front yard setback and which crosses a platted building line. Justification: The existing carport is being enclosed as part of the remodeling of the home, leaving no covered parking. The carport will sit 17± feet from the curb and will not impact traffic. Present Use of Property: Single Family Proposed Use of Property: Single Family Staff Report: B. Public Works Issues: Recommend denial. Sufficient space needs to be allowed between structure and street to park vehicle. B. Staff Analvsis: The R-2 zoned property at #4 Forest Heights Place is occupied by a one-story, brick and frame, single-family residence. The residence is currently being substantially February 22, 1999 Item No.: 2 (Cont:) remodeled, including the enclosure of the carport to convert it into living space. To compensate for the loss of the carport, the applicant's are requesting permission to add a new carport onto the front of the house. The new carport will be built across a platted 25 foot building line and will have a front yard setback of 6 feet. The Code requires a front yard setback of 25 feet in the R-2 district. The carport addition will be architecturally designed to be compatible with the existing home. The carport will be unenclosed and will be built over the existing paved driveway. Some minor modifications will need to be made to the driveway, which will be moved slightly to the south. Although such reduced setbacks as that proposed by the applicant are not common in the neighborhood, staff believes there are circumstances particular to this property which reduce the potential impact. This property is located at the eastern end of a rectangular residential block. Other homes in the block face either N. Country Club or S. Country Club. The visual impact of the applicant's proposal is mitigated by the fact that there are no homes " lined up" directly to either side of the lot. The carport will be unenclosed and will be built primarily over an existing paved driveway. The closest edge of the carport is 17± feet from the curb of the street. Forest Heights Drive is not a heavily traveled through street. The street is two blocks in length, extending from Stonewall to Hawthorne. Staff does not believe the applicant's proposal will negatively impact adjacent properties. Public Works Staff recommends denial, stating that there is insufficient space between the structure and the street. If the Board approves 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's office to determine if the replat requires a revised Bill of Assurance. 2 February 22, 1999 Item No.: 2 (Cont.) C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested building line and setback variances 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 carport is to remain open and unenclosed on all sides other than at the point it adjoins the house. 3. Repair or replace any curb and gutter in conjunction with construction of new driveway entrance. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (FEBRUARY 22, 1999) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the conditions outlined above. Tad Borkowski, of the Public Works Department, stated that his office did not object to the variance as long as the carport remained unenclosed and the driveway was redesigned with a new curb cut to access the carport and the old curb cut removed. The applicant offered no additional comments. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff. The vote was 3 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent and 1 open position. 3