HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Exception for Minor Area Modification to allow an addition with a 20' front setback at 711 Carroll AvenueCITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUST
IN'1`IIE MA,rTER OFTHE
APPLICATION OF GLEASON FOR
AN EXCEPTION FOR MINOR AREA
MODIFICATION, § 29.1506(4)(c))(fi),
AMES MUNICIPA1, CODE, 'TO
ALLOW AN ADDITION WITH A
20' FRONTSETBACK ONTILE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT
711 CARROLL AYENUE
FACTS
CASE NO. 12-15
GEOCODE NO. 0.9-02-401-060
DECISION & ORDER
'I'his property is a two story Structure on the west side of'Carroll Avenue that was originally built
as a single family home, was converted to a two unit structure and is once again being
reconverted back to a single family ]ionic. It is in an UCRM (Urban Core Medit,1111 D(,-,Ilslty
Residential) zoning district. The residence lacks a garage arid in order to complete the reversion
ZD
project the owner would like to construct a substantial addition to the house to include a deck
and garage with a canopy attached to the garage. The lot on Which this Structure sits measures
100.69 feet wide by 90.10 feet deep. The front of the building sits roughly 20.48 1'ect from the
front property line. The rear wall of the house is 25.74 feet from the rear property line. The
north side of the ]'ionic is 9.6 fect from the north property line while the South side of the building
is roughly 66 feet from the South property line. The owner wants to build a garage to the south
of the house and also have a canopy extending into the front yard. He would also create a rear
entry that encroaches a bit into the rear yard. ']'lie lot poses some practical difficulties in that its
cast -west dimension is rinich smaller than other lots in the area, and it will riot work to relocate
the addition further west as the owner will riot be able to locate the functional areas in the
existing structure with those in the addition. Windows and circulation III the house will be
negatively affected if the addition and canopy are moved back. The owner is asking for two
exceptions for minor area modification to allow him to go forward with this project. The front
exception requested Would allow the canopy to extend 5 feet into the front setback. This Would
allow the garage to have a 6 foot overhang and that Would soften the garage doors and make
them less intrusive. It would also be more in keeping with the character of other houses in that
area. The main entry door to the hone will also be moved more to the center of the structure
rather than being on the far north end, and this canopy will shelter that entry way. The owner
explains that his goal with this project is to attain net zero energy and net zero 1111101T, so the
placement of windows, Insulation and the creation of rain gardens is crucial to those goals.
DECISION
The Board considers the standards applicable to Exceptions for Minor Area Modification Under
the zoning ordinance. The evidence furnished about this proposed project establishes that there
are practical dif'FICLIltiCS with the dimensions of this lot that do not affect others similarly in(]
allowing a slight encroachment into the front setback will not be detrimental to others in any
way, but instead will allow a project to go forward that will affect neighbors in a positive
fashion. This exception is the minimum necessary to achieve this result and the Board finds that
it can and should be granted.
ORDER
wnEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is Granted an Exception for Minor Area
Modification, § 29.1506(4)(c))(Il') of the Arrics Municipal Code, to allow construction of a
garage and residential addition that has a front yard setback of" 20 feet, all for the property
located at 711 Carroll Avenue.
Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a COLirt of record may do so within 30 days after
the filing of this decision.
Done this 25t" day Of July, 2012.
Chair