HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Minor Area Modification to allow an addition with an 18' rear setback at 711 Carroll AvenueCITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUST
INTHE MATTER OF THE
APPLICATION OF GLEASON FOR
AN EXCEPTION FOR MINOR AREA
MODIFICATION, § 29.1506(4)(c))(ii),
AMES MUNICIPAL CODE, TO
ALLOW AN ADDITION WITH AN
18'REAR SETBACK ON THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT
711 CARROLL AVENUE
FACTS
CASE NO. 12-16
GEOCODE, NO. 09-02-401-060
DECISION & ORDER
This 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 home. It is in an UCRM (Urban Core Mediurn Density
Residential) zoning district. The residence lacks a garage and in order to complete the reversion
project, the OWIICI- Would like to construct a Substantial addition to the house to include a deck
and gat -age with a canopy attached to the gara,,,1c. The lot on which this structure sits 11-leISLires
100.69 feet wide by 90.10 feet deep. The front of the building Sits roughly _qhly 20.48 feet fi-oni the
I
front property line. The rear wall of the house is 25.74 feet from the rear property line. The
north side of the home is 9.6 feet 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. The lot poses some practical difficulties in that its
cast -west dimension is much smaller than other lots in the area, and it will not work to relocate
the addition further west as the owner will not be able to locate the functional areas in the
existing structure with those in the addition. Windows and circulation In 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 rear
yard setback exception requested Would allow the entry foyer being proposed for the back of the
home to extend 2 feet into the rear setback. The owner explains that his goal with this project is
to attain net zero energy and net zero runoff, so the placement of windows, air locking entries,
insulation and the creation of rain gardens IS crucial to those goals. The rear entry Configuration
Would allow the homeowner to create an an- locking entrance for this entry closest to the garage,
thus saving considerable heat loss. This part of the ]ionic is almost invisible even to the
neighbors, so the minor intrusion into the rear yard would not be unsightly.
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 difficulties with the dimensions of this lot that do not affect others similarly and
allowing a slight encroachment into the rear yard 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
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is Granted an Exception for Minor Area
Modification, § 29.1506(4)(c))(ii) of the Arnes Municipal Code, to allow construction of a
garage and residential addition that has a rear yard setback of 18 feet, all for the property located
at 711 Carroll 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 25"' day of.luly, 2012.
Br 6, cc C all"I"O"-Li'"I"I"
Chair