Board of Adjustment Agenda and Packet 2020 08 19

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Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes June 17, 2020 Page 5 of 10 o The property was non -conforming at the time of their purchase. The garage and front porch resided within the allowable setbacks at the time of purchase. Criteria 2: o The garage is larger than most homes in the area. The garage overlaps with the footprint of the home, creating an unusual circumstance. Criteria 3: o The property is already non -conforming. It cannot be made conforming without taking things way. In order to conform to the existing municipal code, they would have to tear down and re -build the existing garage structure. o The garage takes up space of the area of the lot in comparison to the home. The proposal will correct the existing odd proportions. o They have put considerable effort into other design options and this is the most reasonable to renovate the property. Criteria 4: o The existing front porch and garage were in place prior to their purchase of the home. They purchased the property as non -conforming. Criteria 5: o They have gone to great length to ensure that they maintain the character of the neighborhood by staying at a single story. o They have worked with their architect to ensure that the street view of the home is minimally impacted. Criteria 6: o The changes are modest in nature. The house will not look larger from the curbside. o They are limiting the footprint where it is possible. Their kids will continue to share bedrooms. He lastly reviews the voices of approval, which are approximately 12, and the single voice of dissent they have received. Board Questions of Applicant: Stuart states that the existing garage will house one car but asks if the other half will be made into livable space. Blanchard says that there will be no livable space in the garage. The other half will be for storage. Koepke asks staff how the surrounding neighborhood properties get to have a 40% lot coverage. Ritchie says that when she was looking at those homes, most of them look like they are in the Old Town Overlay and, as the board knows, there are different zone district standards and some of them allow up to a 40% lot coverage. A 40% lot coverage though is reserved for 4,000 sq ft or smaller. It looks like in the applicant's presentation, they showed some inclusion of second floor space in the footprint or the square footage. Either way the zoning varies throughout the city. She mentions that she is not aware of any of those properties receiving variances. It is possible they got a variance but the Old