HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Zoning Board of Adjustment Decision & Order, Case No. 91-15 CITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF MONROE FOR A VARIANCE FROM THE CASE NO. 91-15
RESTRICTIONS ON FRONT YARD PARKING,
SECTION 29.43(3) , AMES MUNICIPAL
CODE, FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT DECISION & ORDER
1311 GRAND AVENUE
FACTS
The property at this location is a single family home with a single car
attached garage located in an R1-6 (Low density residential) zoning district.
There is a single width driveway up to the garage. The street fronting this
location's east side is Grand Avenue, which is a major arterial highway
running north-south through the city. The closest cross street to this
property, located adjacent to the lot south of this one, is Thirteenth
Street. It is also a major arterial street, and the intersection of Grand
and Thirteenth is controlled by stop lights. No on-street parking is
permitted on either of these roads. Thus the only parking available for this
property is that which is available on site. Because the applicants have two
vehicles which must be parked one behind the other, they frequently have to
back both vehicles onto Grand to be able to get the garaged vehicle out to
drive it. This is particularly difficult because they are very close to that
intersection and stopped traffic is often backed up so that it blocks the
entrance to their drive. If there is a break in the traffic to enable them
to back out, they must maneuver very quickly because the traffic speed along
Grand is 35 m.p.h. The combination of circumstances makes it very dangerous
for the applicants and other members of the motoring public. Because of the
situation, the applicants would like to widen their driveway by adding eight
feet of paving to the sides of the present drive. They propose to pave a
strip three feet wide along the south side and five feet along the north.
This area would be in the front yard, and requires a variance from the zoning
ordinance, which prohibits front yard parking unless it leads directly to a
side or rear yard parking area. This additional width would permit them to
get the garaged vehicle out without first having to back the other car onto
Grand. Although it does not completely eliminate the hazard of backing onto
Grand, it sharply curtails the problem of having to back both vehicles out at
once. The appearance of the widened driveway should not detract from or be
out of character with the neighborhood, since many other residences had
already installed drives similar to this at a time when it was not prohibited
by the zoning code.
DECISION
The Board considers the standards that apply to requests for variances from
the provisions of the zoning ordinance. In the present case, the Board
determines that this situation creates an unnecessary hardship for these
owners. The plight of the owners is unique due to their location so close to
the intersection of major streets and the effect it has on parking and
traffic cutting off egress from their drive. The use authorized by the
variance will not alter the essential character of the area because there are
many other residences that have drives similar to what these applicants
propose that exist as legal nonconforming uses. The public interest will be
served by substantially reducing a safety hazard, while at the same time
preserving the spirit of the ordinance by limiting this case to its unique
facts.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, it is ordered that the applicant is granted a variance to the
restrictions prohibiting front yard parking in an R1-6 (low density
residential) zoning district, Section 29.43(3) , Ames Municipal Code, to allow
an additional eight (8) feet of paving width along the driveway of the
property located at 1311 Grand Avenue.
Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a court of record may do so
within 30 days after the filing of this decision.
Done this loth day of July, 1991.
n a V�U'�
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ec y Klatp amen Merideth
Secretary to the Board Chairman