HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Variance to reduce the length of driveway from the required 20 feet to 15 feet at 721 Douglas M E�
CITY OF AMES, IOWA �N
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMEN N 18 2014
IN THE MATTER OF THE 'w�'�i '`"
APPLICATION OF DOUG AND CRISSY CASE NO. 14-11
SNIDER FOR A VARIANCE,
§29.1504(4), AMES MUNICIPAL CODE, GEOCODE NO. 09-02-329-020
TO REDUCE THE LENGTH OF THE
DRIVEWAY FROM THE REQUIRED DECISION & ORDER
20 FEET TO 15 FEET AT 721 DOUGLAS
FACTS
The property at 721 Douglas is located in the Old Town Local Historic District on the southwest
corner of the intersection of Douglas Avenue and 8th Street. The property is occupied by a two
and one-half story house that was originally constructed as a single-family dwelling, and a
detached two-bay garage oriented to 81h Street. The parcel of land at 721 Douglas has a width of
40 feet and a length of 140 feet for a total of 5,600 square feet. Originally, this parcel was
platted as Lot 9 of Blair's Addition, and was 60 feet wide and 180 feet long, and included
10,800 square feet. The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing detached garage in the
rear yard to allow for an addition to the house and to build a new, larger garage. The addition to
the house and design of the garage will be subject to review by the Historic Preservation
Commission subsequent to any action by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The existing garage
is presumed to have been built in 1912 as a two-bay garage that measures approximately 20 feet
on each side with 400 square feet of floor area. This existing garage is located in the rear yard
and is accessed from 8th Street. The applicant requests a variance to construct a new detached
three-car garage in the southwest corner of the rear yard. The proposed garage will measure
32 feet wide and 22 feet deep with 704 square feet of floor area. The proposed garage is also to
be accessed from 8th Street with a 15-foot driveway where 20 feet of depth is required. City staff
testified that the reason for the 20-foot driveway requirement is to ensure that a vehicle can park
in the driveway without blocking the sidewalk.
Property co-owner Douglas Snider testified to the reasons for their request. The old detached
garage is in a state of disrepair, and the property has been narrowed over the years, making it
unique. The property owner's architect, John Lott, testified that the variance is warranted
because this is the only site in the area that is 40-feet wide; he also noted other garages in the
area that have more than two stalls.
DECISION
The Board considers the standards applicable to variances from the provisions of the zoning
ordinance. In this case, the Board finds that all the criteria for a variance required by Ames
Municipal Code section 29.1504(4) have not been met. First, the granting of the variance would
be contrary to the public interest. Second, the denial of the variance would not cause an
unnecessary hardship, as other options are available to the property owners. Third, the spirit of
the ordinance would not be observed if the variance were granted. Fourth, substantial justice
will not be done as a result of granting the ordinance, as other options are available to the
property owners. In light of the evidence presented and the findings in the staff report, the Board
determines that all the criteria for a variance have not been met and denies the variance request.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicants' request for a variance from the 20-foot
driveway requirement is Denied.
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 14t" day of May, 2014.
ily Burton Sandra McJimsey
ecretary to e Board Chair