HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Exception for Minor Area Modification to enclose a front porch at 535 Hayward AvenueCITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
INTHE MATTER OFTHE
APPLICATION OF STURM FOR AN
EXCEPTION FOR MINOR AREA
MODIU ICATION, §29.1506(4)(c), AMES
MUNICIPAL CODE,C TO ENLOSE A
FRONTPORCII ON , 1'IJE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT535 HAYWARD AVENUE
CASE' NO. 13-05
JUL
G,EOCODE' NO. 09-09-175-130
DECISION & ORDER
'file property at tills address Is a single farnily owner -occupied borne Ill an RL (Low Density
Residential) zoning district. The horric is a two story residence that presently leas an open front
porch on its cast side, facing Hayward Avenue. The 110111COWFICI-S would build it') CI1ClOSCd
addition in place of that porch to be an extension of their living room. The lromcowners are.
seeking
, ' all exception for Minor Area Modification to allow them to enclose the whole area oftfic
porch. The present front porch extends two feet into the front yard of the ]ionic, and as all open
porch, it is allowed to be within the front yard setback. However, if that space is enclosed, it is
considered as part Of the 11OLISC rather than an extension exterior to It, SO it would riot be allowed
to encroach in that setback area by right. The homeowners would like to enclose the entire (Ared,
of the front porch rather than stopping the enclosure/addition at the front yard setback line. l3oth
of the horneowners are professional ITILISIclans and the area being considered for enclosure \vI11
be used by the homeowners to accommodate a large piano. Although air area two feet smaller
was considered, that smaller SIZe would not be SLlf'f'ICI(-'Iltly large C11OWL1,11 to hold that Instrument
In a way that is functional. This lot is abutted to the SOLIth by file dead end sqp-nellt of'SStorm
Street, which (lead ends at the west property line ofthe residence. All addition in another spot of
the horse is not tr practical alternative bCCaUSC it would not function with the Interior Curictional
areas of the borne. If the proposed addition has to stop at the front setback line, a two f'0ot front
porch would remain, which is too narrow to be of*practical use. ']'he pI-Oj')OSCd CHClOSLII-e/addItIOIl
will be a single story in height and the roof line will be constructed with similarity to what
presently exists. There IS a ITlIXtUre of open and closed front porches in the neighborhood, so the
character of the neighborhood will be maintained.
The Board considers the standards applicable to Exceptions for Minor Area Modification. This
home was built long before the present zoning standards carric into being, and in being
modernized to better lit contemporary llfCSty1CS IS 171,11111ing into conflict with codes of ,general
applicability that came after this Uni(JUC physical strLICtLII-C Was already in place. Here, the LISC
proposed by the homeowners is the minnIlUrn necessary to accomplish their plan, and it meets
the standards set forth in the Ordinance. Importantly, the Impact oil the neighborhood will riotbe
negative or create S011ICtlllllg Uncharacteristically different Frorn other homes in the vicinity. Any
change in use created by the exception is further mitigated by the home's location at the edge of
(lie nel-liborhood, abUttIIIg Where It transitions to significantly difTerent uses. III light of' these
fiacts, the Board deten-nines that it can and should grant this exception.
0 111) E R
WHEREFORE, 14' IS ORDERED that the applicant is Granted an Exception for Minor Area
Modification, section 29.1506(4)(c) of the Ames Municipal Code, to allow an addition to the
residence that will reduce the Front yard setback from twenty five (25) I'cet to twenty three (23)
f'ect, all for the property located at 535 1 Jayward 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.
1 1011.
I
Done this 8th (lay of May, 2013.