HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Variance to size restrictions for accessory building at 3914 South Duff Avenue 22 �
CITY OF AMES, IOWA AUG 2 8 2012
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTME
CITY OF AM ES,!0'�!A
IN THE MATTER OF THE
APPLICATION OF BOYLAN FOR A CASE NO. 12-12
VARIANCE TO THE SIZE
RESTRICTIONS FOR AN GEOCODE NO. 09-23-250-170
ACCESSORY BUILDING, §29.408(7) ,
AMES MUNICIPAL CODE, TO
ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF AN
ACCESSORY BUILDING ON THE DECISION & ORDER
PROPERTY LOCATED AT
3914 SOUTH DUFF AVENUE
FACTS
The applicant owns and resides in a single family detached home on an interior lot on the east
side of Duff Avenue in the very southern part of the city. That area is zoned RL (Low Density
Residential). The applicant has a fairly deep lot, measuring 240 feet, and it is unusual in that it
has a driveway onto South Duff but it also abuts and has access from an alley at the rear of the
lot. That alley serves as the only street access for the property to the north of this one. This
feature allows this home to make full use of its large rear yard. The homeowner has two small
accessory buildings in that yard. He would like to remove those and build a single larger
accessory building that would have garage space for two vehicles as well as a woodworking
shop. The owner would like to construct it to look like a barn, with a gambrel style roof, and this
would allow him to build an unfinished second story loft for the storage of scrap wood. The total
finished floor area of this building would be 1620 square feet. In this zoning district, the zoning
ordinance limits the gross floor area in a single accessory building to 900 square feet. The
homeowner is seeking a variance to allow him to build this structure. The proposed building
would exceed the maximum allowed by 720 square feet, or 80%. The exterior finishes of the
building would be done so that it looks like an historic Iowa barn. The rest of the property is
immaculately maintained and the intent is to construct a building that is compatible with others
in the area. The homeowner is a shop teacher and he also owns several classic automobiles. It is
difficult to find off site locations to store his classic cars, and in retirement, he would no longer
have access to a full workshop like he presently does at work. This combined use structure
would provide a secure place for his cars that is close by and would also provide space to
continue woodworking. The backyard of this home is landscaped with mature trees, so the
structure would not be out of proportion to the natural features. It is also located so that it would
be nearly invisible to passersby.
DECISION
The Board considers the standards applicable to variances under the provisions of the zoning
ordinance and state code. Having received the evidence presented, the proposed structure is well
designed in both appearance and function and would undoubtedly serve the purposes for which it
is intended, but the homeowner has not shown that denial of a variance will create an
unnecessary hardship as the Iowa law defines it. The land will still be able to yield a reasonable
return if the variance is not granted, and it would not be in keeping with the spirit of the
ordinance to grant this variance when there are alternative ways to accomplish this project that
are in compliance with the zoning restriction. The Board determines that it must deny this
request.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is Denied a Variance to the Maximum
Gross Floor area limitations, § 29.408(7)(a)(iii)(b) of the Ames Municipal Code, to allow
construction of a single accessory building having a gross square footage of 1620 square feet on
the property located at 3914 South Duff 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 25th day of July, 2012.
rl
E ily Burto Bruce Calhoun
Se retary t the Board Chair