Board of Adjustment Agenda and Packet 2015 04 15

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3. That because of such physical circumstances or conditions, the property cannot be reasonably developed in conformity with the provisions of this title (Louisville zoning code); When the side yard setbacks changed in 1972, the buildable area of the lot, or Maximum Lot Coverage, was effectively reduced from 29% (the existing lot coverage) to 1770 SF, or 24% of the total property area. Yet the zoning code allows for a Maximum Lot Coverage of 30%. Therefore, we feel the property cannot be reasonably developed. To put it in perspective, to comply with Louisville zoning code, we would need to start by tearing down 43% of our home! 4. That such unnecessary hardship has not been created by the applicant; With all due respect, the hardship was created by the City of Louisville in 1972. 5. That the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood or district in which the property is located, not substantially or permanently impair the appropriate use of development of adjacent property; Please take the opportunity to drive down Lois Drive and observe number 500 and the other 6 homes on the south side of Lois Drive. One of them has a 50-foot long 6-foot privacy fence built on the property line (with a shed right behind it), and another has a 6-foot concrete-masonry-unit wall / 6-foot privacy fence built on the property line. We feel our proposal is really a modest one that will actually improve and reinforce the residential character of the neighborhood. We are not seeking to scrape the property and build a Modern McMansion, (which, ironically, probably could be done while complying with the current zoning code, given the 35’ allowable maximum height). We feel that would be out of character in this neighborhood of humble brick vernacular 1970s ranch homes. We appreciate the scale and character of these homes, and want to respect them, while adding a little more year-round functionality to our home at the same time. 6. That the variance, if granted, is a minimum variance that will afford relief and is the least modification possible of the provisions of this title (Louisville zoning code) which are in question. We are really only seeking a minimal variance of 3% of the Maximum Lot Coverage, none of it enclosed space, but open porches (or 5% when you include the shed area.) This variance, if granted, will afford us relief in a very real way when we can have a covered rear porch for the barbeque grill in the winter, a garden shed for our bike collection, and a shady front porch to sit on and sip iced tea and wave to our neighbors. Isn’t that what Louisville is all about? Thank you for your time and consideration, Rob and Kristen Levinson