HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7858 Staff AnalysisJUNE 27, 2005
ITEM NO.: 7
File No.: Z-7858
Owner/Applicant: Drew Camp
Address: 710 N. Palm Street
Description: Lot 10, Block 37, Pulaski Heights Addition
Zoned: R-2
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the area provisions of Section
36-156 to allow an accessory building with an increased rear yard coverage.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property:
Proposed Use of Property:
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
Single Family Residential
Single Family Residential
1. The plan as provided would be acceptable, however, because of limited
maneuvering room on the alley, a 5' setback is recommended.
B. Staff Analysis:
The R-2 zoned property at 710 N. Palm Street is occupied by a one-story frame
single family residence. There is a paved alley along the west property line
which serves as vehicular access to the property. There is a coffee shop located
on the C-3 zoned property immediately to the north, with parking off the alley.
Additional commercial uses are located further north along Kavanaugh Blvd. With
single family homes to the south.
The applicant proposes to construct a 24 foot by 26 foot garage near the
northwest corner of the property. The garage will be one story in height, with a
3.3 foot side (north) setback and a zero (0) rear setback where abutting the alley.
The garage will cover approximately 49.9 percent of the required rear yard (rear
25 feet), and be constructed to match the existing house.
JUNE 27, 2005
ITEM NO.: 7 (CON'T.
Section 36-156(a)(2)c. of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows an accessory
building to occupy a maximum of 30 percent of a required rear yard in the R-2
zoning district. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance from this
ordinance standard to allow the garage construction. The proposed garage
conforms to the minimum required side and rear setbacks and separation.
Staff supports the rear yard coverage variance as requested. Staff views the
request as reasonable and feels the proposed garage structure will not be out of
character with the overall area. As noted previously, there is a small commercial
parking lot immediately north which is accessed by way of the alley. Additionally,
there are commercial buildings further north which appear to have zero (0)
setbacks off the alley. The overall area also contains accessory structures
equivalent in size and scale to the one proposed. Staff feels the proposed
garage structure will have no negative impact on the general area.
D. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested rear yard coverage variance,
subject to the garage structure being constructed to match the existing principal
structure.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (JUNE 27, 2005)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the
item and a recommendation of approval.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by
staff by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
2
May 25, 2005 _
Board of Adjustment
Department of Planning and Development
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
Dear Board Members,
Thank you for accepting this application for a residential zoning variance
for the property at 710 North Palm Street. My wife and I have planned to build a
two car garage this property that will measure 24' by 26 ft'. Because this
proposed building will take up more than 30 % of our backyard space we need a
zoning variance.
Our house is an older house built in 1906 in the Hillcrest area. Our lot is a
narrow one (measuring 150' by 50'). Hence, we need the variance not because
the garage is unusually large but because the space in our backyard is unusually
small. We are also placing it at the edge of our property by the alley which will
match other existing structures bordering this alley. As we have planned it, the
garage will incorporate a small storage area and will be adequate to house two
vehicles.
Additionally, we are planning to build the garage to match the style of the
house. We will'side and paint the garage to match the house and have designed
it to appear more like a small cottage than a garage. We are doing this by the
addition of windows and shutters facing out internal yard. We are also going to
landscape the backyard into a courtyard with lots of greenery.
On a personal note, I have lived in this house for 22 years. I am recently
married and with the the addition of another family member, storage has
become a significant problem for us. I want very much to stay in this house, and
the small storage area planned into our garage will make a big difference in the
living quality in our older house.
I appreciate your attention to this matter. I love my house and'my
neighborhood and sincerely believe this addition will add to the overall quality,
not only of my home, but for my neighborhood also.
Respectfully submitted,
Drew Camp