4. BOASR 09-15-2009REQUEST FOR ACTION
To Item Number
Plannin Commission 4
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Plannin Items Se tember 15, 2009 Chris Leeseber ,Park Planner-Planner
Item Description Reviewed by
Consider request by Adam Kersten for side yard setback erem Barnhart, Plannin Mana er
variance to construct deck Reviewed by
Case No. V 09-05 -public hearing
Action Requested
Staff recommends that the Board of Adjustments approve the Side Yard Variance request, as illustrated
on drawings dated 8/31 /09, for the following reasons:
1. All five criteria for granting a variance are met.
2. A maximum four (4) foot setback encroachment shall be allowed.
3. Only the portion of deck and stair extending 15 feet from the rear of the garage may be
setback six (6) feet to the northeast property line.
4. No portion of the deck encroaching in the required setback shall be covered.
Attachments
• Location Map
• Applicant's Narrative
• Site Plan
• Deck Drawings
Case File: V 09-US
Page 2
General Information
Sidc Yard Variance
Adam Kersten
Applicant Adam Kersten
60 Day Rule The application has been deemed complete as of September 10,
2009. The Ci must take action b November 10, 2009
Requested Action Side Yard Setback Variance
Location and Size 18287 Trott Brook Parkway -Approximately lh acre in size
Location Existing Use Land Use Plan Designation Current Zoning
Subject
Property Residential Urban Residential PUD
North Residential Urban Residential PUD
South Residential Urban Residential PUD
East Residential Urban Residential PUD
West Residential Urban Residential PUD
Overview
The applicant had applied for a deck building permit and was notified that they needed a variance
for approximately about 5 feet of the "landing" outside the garage service door.
They are proposing a multileveled deck behind their house and garage.
The deck is being built to be used as a gathering space, but it is also
being incorporated into an egress landing area for the service door on
the backside of the garage. The service door of the garage is
approximately 4 feet above grade. The small landing area and stairs is
the only portion of the deck that requires a variance.
The building code requires a landing of at least the width of the door
by three feet out from the wall. Aside from major landscaping and
earth moving, there are no alternatives to providing a required landing
area for the service door egress.
The intent behind a greater deck (and house) setback than the garage setback is to provide for a
minimum separation of "living" areas between homes. With the applied conditions, the portion of
the deck in question is not likely to be used as living space. Therefore, the spirit of the ordinance is
maintained.
S:APLANNING MAIN\Case Files\Variance\V U9-US Kersten\V 09-05_BA.doc
Case bile: V 09-05
Pagc 3
Applicable Regulations
Variance Criteria
Side Ward Variance
Adam Kersten
Literal enforcement o~the ordinance will cause undue hardshib.
The garage service door was installed near the back corner of the garage. Because of elevation
changes on the exterior, the service door is currently unusable. The literal enforcement of the
ordinance would render the door unusable causing hardship for the property owner.
2. The hardship is caused by sbecial conditions and circumstances which are peculiar to the~T~ert~ and the
structure involved and which are not characteristic of or a~blicable to other lands or structure in the same area
The special conditions are two: first, the difference in elevation of the door and the ground
make the access unusable without a landing; second, the placement of the door puts any type of
landing in violation of the setback ordinance.
3. The .r~ecial conditions and circumstances are not a consequence o~the t~etitioner'.r own action or inaction
The house was purchased by the applicant from a previous owner. The applicant did not have
the ability to work with the builder to place the door in an alternate location. The conditions are
not a consequence of the petitioner's own action or inaction.
4. The literal a~blication o~the i~rovisions o~this ordinance would de~irive the betitioner oughts enioyed b ~ 01 then
brot~erties in the same district under the terms o~this ordinance
The literal application will deprive the petitioner of rights enjoyed by others, as they will not be
able to utilize the access door from their garage other properties in the same district.
5. The variance will not be iniurious to or adversely a~fect the health sa~ety or welfare o f the residents o the city or
the neighborhood where the ~ro~erty is located and will 6e in keeling with spirit and intent of the ordinance
The variance will not be injurious to or adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of the
residents of the city or the neighborhood.
Action Motion by Second by Vote
Follow Up
S:AYLANNING MAIN\Gase Files\Variance\V U9-US Kersten\~' U9-05_BA.doc
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Print Name: Adam Kersten
A type written narrative explaining how the following criteria are met in order to be granted a variance:
1) That literal enforcement of the ordinance would cause the applicant undue (unnecessai-h, unavoidable,
extreme) hardship.
~~ the dra~~~ings it l strata, roar home has a garage walk door that. was installed only inches off of the Bach corner of the
structuue. 'T'his walk door, due to elevation differences, is clurend~- unusable. 'I'l~~c literal enforcerr~cnr c,f this <~rdinance
dictates that the «~s~alk door ~~~ill nee e.r he ;able tc, be used he cause anti structuue dial could be built to gain access to this
door would infringe upon the reyuircd setback.
2) That the hardship is caused by special conditions and circumstances which are peculiar to the land and the
structure involved and which are not characteristic of or applicable to other lands or structures in the same
district.
1'he problem is ncofold. h`irst, thr difference in elevation of the d<_>or ,and the grcnttld does n<~t all<,~w ~>ne to pass safely;
Second, the placement <.~f the door is such that any attempt to create san access structure puts it in violation of the setback
ordinance. 1 Iad better choices been made b~~ ~Iae builder, this could h:a~-e been avoided.
3) That the special conditions and circumstances are not a consequence of the applicant's own action or inaction.
Since this home. ~,~ras pure}lased from previous openers, we land no c>pportunih- to work with the. builder to place the door
in an alternate location.
4) That the literal application of the provisions of the Ordinance would deprive the applicant of rights enjoyed by
other properties in the same district under the terms of the Ordinance.
A majoritT- of home in the neighborhood havt accessible garage:-walk doors. A&'i.thout grantiil~ tl>is variance, we will riot
have use. caf said. dc:>or. "I'h.is is an issue for the folkawirl~ teas<~ns:
• It is an aesthetics issue.
0 7'he. door, ~~-idaout <.t landing looks out of place and takes away from the finished look of the hcnne.
o If •ve c°~-er chose to sell this property we would likely be penalized financially b~~ having this door
u~laccessible. y .
It is a Safety Issue.
o ~\'ithout securing the door from the inside., one is Tree to w.~lh out tl~ie door to a S drop.
o This door could serve ~as aa~a additional egress from the home should we lose lxawer to the garage doors.
~~%c don't have. that abilit~~ currei~ath~.
5) That the variance will not be injurious to or adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of the residents of the
Cit3~ or the neighborhood wherein the property is situated and will be in keeping with the spirit and intent of
the Ordinance.
Since our ~~ard is fci~aced in, there is no access to the proposed strucn.~re to cause any adverse health, s afet~~, or welfare
issues..-~\dditionstlly. the pr~>posed deck would not encroach any fu~rthe.r into this sr.ebacls than the garage already does,
and since it is in the back ~-:ard, it ~~~ill not liheh~ be visuall}% apparent that the. deck is outside of normal boundaries.
All five of these criteria need to be met in order to be granted a variance. Variance or Appeal of Zoning
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