Board of Adjustment Agenda and Packet 2015 04 15

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5 Adding a front porch, rear patio, and shed is common in Louisville and staff considers it reasonable development. None of the proposed additions would be enclosed living space, so while they count toward the lot coverage calculation, the applicant is actually proposing to decrease the bulk of the building by removing the rear sunroom. The proposed front porch would exacerbate an already nonconforming setback, but the open porch would not create imposing bulk adjacent to the street, and the porch would still be 12 feet from the lot line, more than is required on some lots in nearby Old Town. While the shed would be in the required north setback, it would be behind the front of the house and behind a proposed fence, mitigating its impact. The proposed three foot building separation would still allow a person to walk between the house and the shed, and the structures would be required to meet the building code regarding fire barriers. There are many sheds throughout town, most erected without a permit, that are immediately adjacent to a rear or side lot line. The proposed location for the shed is reasonable given the layout of the lot and the adjacent property. Staff finds this criterion has been met. 4. That such unnecessary hardship has not been created by the applicant. The house was built in 1970, before the current owners purchased the property and before the zoning was changed creating the existing legal nonconforming situation. Staff finds this criterion has been met. 5. That the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood or district in which the property is located, nor substantially or permanently impair the appropriate use or development of adjacent property. The other houses along the south side of Lois Drive have a similar setback from the street, and the proposed porch would not significantly alter that. The proposed shed would mostly be screened from view. The excess lot coverage would be composed of open porches and patios and a shed, which would not create the impression of significant added bulk to the property. The property would maintain its existing mid-century look, matching the rest of the neighborhood. Staff finds this criterion has been met. 6. That the variance, if granted, is the minimum variance that will afford relief and is the least modification possible of the provisions of Title 17 of the Louisville Municipal Code that is in question. The request would allow for a covered patio to make the south-facing back yard more useable, a front porch to make the entrance more inviting, and a shed to make the property more functional. The requested variance would allow only the proposed expansions. Staff finds this criterion has been met. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Public notice was mailed to all property owners within 500 feet of the subject property. At the time of this report’s creation, staff had not received any public comment. If comments are received prior to the hearing, that information will be presented at the hearing. STAFF COMMENTS AND BOARD ACTION: