Impact
WARD: 2
COMMITTEE: Community Development
$ IMPACT: N/A
Title
Public Hearing - Variance Request - V18-009 - Allow front setback reduction for new attached garage from 35 ft. to 22 ft. - Land Lot 667 - 0.3 acres - 1898 Heathridge Court - John Dollarhide
Body
ISSUE: The applicant is requesting a variance to build an attached garage on an existing single family structure. Due to the orientation of the house on the property, the applicant is requesting a reduction of the front setback from 35 feet to 22 feet. Section 801 controls front setbacks in residential zoning districts.
BACKGROUND: None.
RECOMMENDATION/REQUESTED ACTION: The applicant is requesting to deviate from the development standards established by the City for the front setback of 35 feet. The applicant is requesting a variance to reduce the front setback to 22 feet. According to Section 1403 of the Zoning Ordinance, variances must be reviewed under the following standards: (1) Whether there are unique and special or extraordinary circumstances applying to the property; (2) Whether any alleged hardship is self-created by any person having an interest in the property; (3) Whether strict application of the relevant provisions of the code would deprive the applicant of reasonable use of the property; and (4) Whether the variance proposed is the minimum variance needed. Community Development has reviewed the request against the variance review standards and found it to be in compliance with four (4) of the four (4) standards. Similar variances have been approved throughout the city. At the time of this report, Community Development has not received any phone calls regarding the variance request. After a review of the standards above, Community Development believes that the encroachment will not adversely affect surrounding residents; therefore, staff recommends approval of the requested variance with the following condition:
1. Approval of the requested variance shall be conditioned upon the development of the property in substantial compliance with the site plan submitted with the variance application.
2. Prior to issuance of building permit, the applicant will provide an as-built survey of proposed addition and meet with Building Official to discuss floor plan, framing plan, and other construction details.
REQUESTED ACTION: The License and Variance Board hold a public hearing per Section 1400 of the Smyrna Code.