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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6871 Staff AnalysisJune 26, 2000 Item No.: 12 File No. Owner: Address: Description: Zoned: Variance Reauested: Justification: Present Use of Property: Proposed Use of Property: Staff Report: A. Public Works Issues: Z-6871 Dr. and Mrs. Ray Parker #9 Longfellow Lane Lot 5, Beverly Place Addition R-2 A variance is requested from the area regulations of Section 36-254 to permit construction of an addition with a reduced side yard setback. The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Single Family Single Family 1. Install roof gutter to prevent stormwater runoff on adjacent property. B. Staff Analysis: The R-2 zoned property at #9 Longfellow Lane is occupied by a two-story, brick and frame, single-family residence. The applicants propose to expand the house by constructing a one-story addition along the full length of its east side. The addition is proposed to have a side yard setback of 1.51. The Code requires a side yard setback of 8 feet for this lot. The roof of the addition will slope toward the side property line. The addition will have an eave/overhang not to exceed 1 feet and will have guttering along the edge. The applicant states the variance is requested in order to expand the home in such a way as to require the least amount of modification to the existing dwelling. He further states June 26, 2000 Item No.: 12 (Cont.) that the intended use is such that the proposed expansion needs to occur in this area of the lot. Staff has concerns about the proposed variance. The Code requires a side yard setback of 8 feet. The applicant is requesting a substantial variance to allow a side yard of 1.5 feet. With the overhang and guttering, the structure could be built to within 1-2 inches of the property line. The house is 53.8' deep and the requested variance is for the full depth of the house creating a substantial visual impact on the adjacent property. The requested 1.5' side yard setback appears to be out of character with the neighborhood. Most homes in the immediate vicinity have side yard setbacks meeting or exceeding ordinance requirements. In staff's opinion, the applicant is overbuilding on the east side of his property. A side yard setback of 5 feet would appear to be more reasonable. The owner of the property adjacent to the east has submitted a letter of support in which he notes that there will be approximately 17 feet between the two homes. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends denial of the requested side yard setback variance. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (JUNE 26, 2000) Frank Riggins, Ray Parker and Kelley Parker were present representing the application. There were no objectors present. A letter of support had been submitted by Dan Robinson, owner of the abutting property at #7 Longfellow Lane. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of denial. Frank Riggins addressed the Board. He stated that there was a precedent for reduced setbacks in the neighborhood. Mr. Riggins stated that the overriding issue is what effect the proposal would have on the neighborhood. He stated that he felt there would be no effect and, in fact, the proposal was supported by the abutting property owner. Ray Parker addressed the Board and presented photographs of his property and his neighbor's home. He stated that the home was built in 1936 and is smaller than other homes in the area, about 3,000 square feet. Mr. Parker stated that due to the design of the home and the way it was situated on the lot, there was 2 June 26, 2000 Item No.: 12 (Cont.) limited area to add onto the house. He stated that the one story addition would have no windows on the east side. Mr. Parker commented on the amount of separation between his home and his neighbors. He stated that he had spoken with all of his neighbors and they all supported his plan. Norm Floyd expressed his concerns about a reduced setback for this,amount of principal structure. Frank Riggins repeated that he did not feel the proposal was out of character with development in the area. A motion was made to approve to application as submitted. The motion was approved with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. 3