Planning Commission Minutes 1994 07 26

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"OLD TOWN" LOUISVILLE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ACTIVITY JUNE 1990 THROUGH APRIL 1994 The Louisville Board of Adjustment is a six member appointed body that hears requests for variances to specific regulations of the zoning chapter of the Louisville Municipal Code. These variances often concern issues of front, rear, street side, and interior side yard setback requirements. Variance requests from maximum lot coverage and dwelling units per square foot requirements are also heard. From June of 1990 through April of 1994, the Louisville Board of Adjustment, heard cases concerning twenty-five different locations within the area commonly referred to as "Old Town". This area was platted during the late 19th and early 20th century. Many lots are typically only 25 feet wide and 125 feet deep. A number of these narrow lots (often two) have been combined to create larger individual properties on which houses were built. Since that time, the city has applied zone districts over the existing houses. This has created a situation were many of the lots and current structures do not meet the new regulations and are considered non -conforming: _ Continued use of these lots and structures are allowed but new additions and other construction. must comply to the current regulations. The Board of Adjustment applies a six part criteria to - determine if relief from the current regulations is warranted. Of the twenty-five locations, five concerned 1st floor additions, six 2nd floor additions, seven garages, six new homes, and two second dwelling units on a lot. The interior side yard requirement of 7 feet has seen the greatest number of applicants asking for relief. Of the 25 cases, 13 interior side yards have been given a variance. These variances average 3.5 or half the required 7 feet. (see table 1) The street side yard requirement of 25 feet has been amended eight times with an average variance of 16.5 feet or an average setback of 8.5 feet. (see table 2) For principal uses the rear yard setback of 25 feet has been amended twice with an average of 10.25 feet, which allows a 14.75 foot setback. The 25 foot front yard setback have received variances five times with and average of 12.9 feet, thus creating a 12.1 foot average setback. (see table 3) The maximum lot coverage of 30% in RL districts and 35% in RM has been given a variance five times at an average of 12.3% over the districts maximum. Four of the five times a garage was part of the proposal. The following tables give a break -down of interior side, street side and front yard variances.