HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Exception for Minor Area Modification to allow a garage addition at 2125 Polk Drive (2)CITY OF AINIES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMEN
IN TI I E MATTER of TI I E
APPLICATION OF KOENIG FOR AN
EXCE,PTION FOR MINOR AREA
MODIFICATION, SECTION29.1506,
AMES MUNICIPAL (,',ODE',TO
ALLOW A GARAGE, ADDITION
ON THE, PROPERTY LOCWTED
AT2125 POLK DRIVE
R M-
CASE NO. 12-20
G'EO(,'0DE, NO.
352-050
DE(-'ISION & ORDER
The property at this address is a single family, two story owner occupied residence with an
attached two car garage. It is in an RL (Low Density Residential) zoning district. The home sits
on the north side of the street on a wedge shaped lot whose front width is 70 let mAdc and whose
depth ranges from 129 fect deep 011 the CilSt side to 148 feet deep on the west. ']'lie front of the
home was huih parallel to the front property line and the garagc is on the east end of the horne.
'The Very southeast comer of the home is eight feet from the east property line, which meets the
necessary setback distance for a two mog, home. The garage's dimensions are small for it two
car garage, as the door is sixteen lhct wide. TIAs makes 4 a very tight fit for two larger vehicles.
The homeowner would Ile to build a small addition to the (,1ara(1C Which would increase the
width of that room by two feet. However, since the structure currently comes right up to the
setback limit, a triangular portion of the addition VVOLdd extend into the setback. 'The horneoNvner
is seeking an exception for minor area modification to allow this garage addition. The
encroachment into the side yard would be by two 1'ect at its widest. Although this home is a two
story, the poin of the house that has the second story is in the center pan or the stmeturc and the
garage portion is only one story tall. The home immediately to die cam of this one is oriented
such that its garage is on the west side of the lot so both homes have the shorter part of cadi next
to one another. The addition, themlime, will not place a tall, blank wall right next to the Wit
living area of the neighboring home. The homes on this block were generally built With
distances between then that are greater than the minimum, and that would still be the case here,
so the separation between homes will not appear to be diminished as tile distance between the
berries will still be at least 21 feet.
ill; C I Sz I (IN
'The Board considers the evidence presented concerning this request in light of the standards
alldicable to Minor area modifications. The Board finds that there are practical difficulties
associated with this property's shape drat rake a conventional addition challenging, even when
it is a small addition, Granting this exception will not negatively alTect other properties as the
wide separation between the homes wl I I still be maintained, and this is the minimum necessary to
achieve the results the homeowners need. The Use authorized by this exception will still be
residential and will not be detrimental in any other way. The Board is satisfied that the standards
have been inet to grant this recILICSt.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is Granted ,in Exception tor Minor Area
Moclification, § 29.1506(4)(c) of the Ames Municipal Code, to allow a garage addition that
reduces the setback from eight feet to six feet on the cast side, all for the property located at
2125 Polk Drive.
Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a court of record may do so within 30 days after
the filing of this decision.
Doric this Sth day of'AtigList, 2012.
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Errilly BUrton
Secretary to the Board
/ ... . ....... ....
Bruce Calhoun
Chair