Board of Adjustment Agenda and Packet 2019 08 21

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Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes June 19, 2019 Page 3 of 8 Board Questions of Staff. Leedy asks what the difference is between a pergola and a porch. Ritchie says that a pergola is subject to setbacks and does not apply to lot coverage or floor area ratio. Leedy says that Staff gives a pergola and a covered patio example. Would the pergola's design be approved by the Planning Department without the Board's approval, and asks if the covered portion is what is to be determined tonight. Ritchie says Leedy is correct for both of her questions. Gorsevski asks if lot coverage in regards to covered porches is staff's interpretation of the code. Ritchie says that covered porches clearly fall under lot coverages. Applicant Presentation: Applicant: Scott Berger, homeowner, 821 McKinley Ave Berger and his wife built the house at 821 McKinley Ave. In regards to the covered patio, they want to be protected from the weather and utilize that outdoor space all year around. They initially tried covering the patio with a canvas but it was taken down from the numerous hail storms Louisville's received lately. Their three adjacent neighbors have 32%, 32.5%, and 30.8% lot coverages and compared to what they are requesting, which is 32.1%, he feels it is a very reasonable request in regards to their neighbors lot coverage. Peter Stewart, homeowner's architect, 1132 Jefferson Ave Peter Stewart mentions to the board that this neighborhood's lot coverage varies between 30 and 35%. Berger's property, 840 McKinley, has a 32% lot coverage with a lot size of 7,000 square feet. He agrees with staff's calculations of this property's lot coverage, but believes that the board exists to look past the calculations. The configuration of the house has a lot of impact on this variance request. Stuart mentions that the covered patio will not be visible from the street and that it is open and not enclosed. It will not increase the building height or encroach on any setbacks. Most importantly, it has no negative impact to the neighborhood and is consistent with the character of the neighborhood. Board Questions of Applicant: Gorsevski asks the owner why the shape of house was designed like a C? Berger says that they wanted to feel covered and wrapped around the house. He adds that there will be minimal impact towards the neighbors and that the neighbors are not opposed to this design.