HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8203 Staff AnalysisAPRIL 30, 2007
ITEM NO.: 4
File No.: Z-8203
Owner: Paul and Brenda Isbell
Applicant: Paul Isbell
Address: 3316 Dorset Drive
Description: Lot 156, Kensington Place, Phase I
Zoned: R-2
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the area provisions of Section
36-254 and the building line provisions of Section 31-12 to allow a porch addition with a
reduced front setback and which crosses a platted building line.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Single Family Residential
Proposed Use of Property: Single Family Residential
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No Comments
B. Staff Analysis:
The R-2 zoned property at 3316 Dorset Drive is occupied by a two-story brick
and frame single family residence. The property is located at the northwest
corner of Dorset Drive and Suffolk Drive. There is a two -car wide driveway
from Dorset Drive which serves as access. The residential lot slopes
downward from front to back (east to west). The front door of the house is
approximately seven (7) feet above grade. The single family lot has a 25 foot
platted building line along each street frontage.
The applicant recently removed an uncovered porch structure off the front of
the house and replaced it with an uncovered wood porch and step structure,
as noted on the attached site plan. The new porch structure extends across
the front platted building line by approximately 15 feet, resulting in a 10 foot
APRIL 30, 2007
ITEM NO.: 4 (CON'T.
front setback. The new porch structure is located approximately two (2) feet
closer to the front (east) property line than the previous porch, according to the
applicant.
Section 36-254(d)(1) of the City's Zoning Ordinance requires minimum front
setback of 25 feet for R-2 zoned lots. Section 31-12( c) of the Subdivision
Ordinance requires that building- line encroachments be reviewed and
approved by the Board of Adjustment. Therefore, the applicant is requesting
variances from these ordinance standards to allow the porch addition with a
reduced front setback and to cross the front platted building line.
Staff is supportive of the requested variances. Staff believes the new porch
addition is not out of character with the neighborhood. The Kensington Place
Subdivision is a very hilly subdivision, with varying degrees of slope
throughout. On a short loop through the south part of this subdivision, staff
observed several similar front encroachments:
3300 Dorset Drive
• 9915 Suffolk Drive
• 10014 Suffolk Drive
• 65 Dartmouth Drive
• 10100 W. 36t" Street
Given the slope of the property, with the front door of the residence being
seven (7) feet above grade, staff feels the proposed variances are reasonable.
Staff believes the new porch structure will have no adverse impact on the
adjacent properties or the neighborhood.
If the Board approves the building line variance, the applicant will have to
complete a one -lot replat reflecting the change in the platted front building line
for the porch addition. The applicant should review the filing procedure with
the Circuit Clerk's office to determine if the replat requires a revised Bill of
Assurance.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variances, subject to the
following conditions:
1. Completion of a one -lot replat reflecting the change in the front platted
building line as approved by the Board.
2. The front porch structure must remain uncovered and unenclosed.
APRIL 30, 2007
ITEM NO.: 4 (CON'T.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (APRIL 30, 2007)
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 5 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent.