HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8522 Staff AnalysisFEBRUARY 22, 2010
ITEM NO.: 4
File No.: Z-8522
Owner: Mary Alice and John Dickens
Applicant: Justin Stewart
Address: 4907 Hawthorne Road
Description: Lot 2, Block 14, Newton's Addition
Zoned: R-2
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the area provisions of Section 36-156
to allow construction of an accessory building with increased rear yard coverage.
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. Staff Analysis:
No Comments.
B. Staff Analysis:
The R-2 zoned property at 4907 Hawthorne Road is occupied by a single
family residence, which is in the process of being constructed. Foundation
work is currently being done on the new home construction. A driveway
from Hawthorne Road at the northeast corner of the lot will serve as access.
A home which existed on the site for a number of years was recently
removed. The single family lot has a slight slope downward from front to
back.
The applicant is proposing to construct a 19.17 foot by 36 foot accessory
building within the rear yard area, as noted on the attached site plan. The
accessory structure will be located three (3) feet from the rear (south) and
east side property lines, and nine (9) feet from the principal residential
structure. The east portion of the accessory structure (approximately
FEBRUARY 22, 2010
ITEM NO.: 4 (Con't.
234 square feet) will be enclosed storage, with the west portion
(approximately 455 square feet) being a cove red/unenclosed patio area.
The structure will occupy approximately 48 percent of the required rear yard
area (rear 25 feet of the lot).
Section 36-156(a)(2)c. of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows an accessory
structure to cover a maximum of 30 percent of the required rear yard area of
a single family lot. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow
the proposed accessory structure with a 48 percent rear yard coverage.
Staff does not support the requested rear yard coverage variance. Although
a portion of the structure is unenclosed, staff feels the overall structure
occupies too much of the rear yard area of this single family lot. The
principal structure/residence occupies 84 feet of the 140 foot overall depth
of this lot, leaving approximately 31 feet of rear yard area total. The
proposed accessory structure occupies almost 40 percent of the entire rear
yard area. Staff could support a variance to allow an accessory structure
covering approximately 40 percent of the required rear yard area (rear 25
feet of the lot). This would require cutting off approximately six (6) feet of
the accessory structure's 36 foot overall length. This size structure would
be more compatible with other accessory structures in the area.
Additionally, this would be the same coverage (40 percent) as allowed in the
Hillcrest Design Overlay District to the south, a neighborhood area with
similar lot sizes to the Heights neighborhood.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends denial of the requested rear coverage variance, as filed.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (FEBRUARY 22, 2010)
Staff informed the Board that the applicant submitted a letter requesting the
application be withdrawn. Staff supported the withdrawal request. There was no
further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and withdrawn by a
vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent.