Board of Adjustment Agenda and Packet 2025 08 20

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Christina Stimson 512 Sunset Drive Louisville, CO 80027 July 7, 2025 Variance Request: We are planning to build an addition to our existing house and are requesting that the western property line setback be reduced to 6.1 feet from the zoning requirement of 10.0 feet. Responses to the variance criteria: 1. That there are unique physical circumstances or conditions such as irregularity, narrowness or shallowness of lot, or exceptional topographical or other physical conditions peculiar to the affected property. This lot is unusual in that it is 70 feet wide along the street and 93 feet wide at the south property line. The house is about 44 feet long in the east/west direction and is approximately centered on the lot, leaving clearances to the property lines of 15 to 16.8 feet. The existing house has a living area, kitchen, and dining area located at the west end of the house. 2. That the unusual circumstances or conditions do not exist throughout the neighborhood or district in which the property is located. The unique conditions of this lot exist for 6 or 7 of the lots along the Goodhue ditch at the south of the subdivision. There are 67 lots in this subdivision. 3. That because of such physical circumstances or conditions, the property cannot reasonably be developed in conformity with the provisions of this title. The proposed addition allows us to retain our views to the South by aligning the addition with the angled West property line. Specifically, the setback of 6.1 feet does not obstruct views to the South from the existing kitchen window at the West end of the kitchen. 4. That such unnecessary hardship has not been created by the applicant. The Scenic Heights subdivision was established in 1959 and allowed setbacks of 5 feet — probably assuming that owners would like to expand to the sides of their houses. The 512 Sunset Drive house was constructed in 1972, we have tried to design several additions over the years, and major changes to the existing house were typically needed. This addition minimizes revisions to the existing house. 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 proposed addition does not change the North elevation of the existing house. The hallway to the addition is about 11 feet South of the North elevation, and the main addition is about 26 feet South. A single car garage will not fit on this property so the driveway used for parking of a single car will remain. 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 which are in question. The primary goals of the proposed addition are to maintain as much of the existing house as possible, connect to the existing living area, and retain our views to the south. The requested setback is the minimum that will allow us to meet these goals. Page 1 of 2