Board of Adjustment Agenda and Packet 2016 03 16

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Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes February 17, 2016 Page 4 of 12 The current zoning does not allow any expansion of the building's footprint. This includes decks above 30 inches in height and covered porches, as well as additions. The proposed deck expansion is not overly large, and is intended for a more usable rear yard experience. The cover is proposed for the existing front porch to make it more useable and inviting. The cantilever modifications are to make the interior more functional and have minimal impact on the exterior. The porch cover and cantilevers comply with setbacks. The house is so close to the rear setback line that a useable deck could not be constructed in compliance with the setbacks. The RE zone district lot coverage and PUD rear setback requirements would not enable this reasonable expansion to occur. Staff finds this criterion has been met. 4. That such unnecessary hardship has not been created by the applicant. The existing house was built in 1984 exceeding the allowed lot coverage of the RE zone district and with no room for expansion. The house was built two feet from the rear setback line, not providing any room for a rear deck. The applicant did not create the unnecessary hardship. 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 property is one of the smallest in the Centennial Valley 3 neighborhood and already has one of the highest lot coverages. Further increasing the lot coverage to 33 percent could create the impression of a crowded lot, incompatible with the neighborhood. However, these specific additions —a rear deck, covered porch, and cantilever modifications —are unlikely to create that impression, and the overall footprint of the building will still be similar to others in the neighborhood in terms of square footage. The rear deck will have minimal impact because the property backs to open space. This variance will not affect the character or the development potential of adjacent property because it meets established front and side setbacks. If the variance is granted, the area will remain a low- density single - family 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 requested variance would allow only the proposed rear deck to be built and no further expansion of the building footprint. The additional square footage requested is modest, and the requested lot coverage is still below that allowed in the RM zone district. Staff finds this criterion has been met. Staff finds that five of the six criteria are met and one is not applicable. Therefore, Staff recommends of the variance request. 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. Questions from Board to Staff. Campbell asks what are the physical dimensions of the property?