License and Variance Board Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS — Minutes
Open official source ↗ · Source page 8
February 26, 2025 10:00 AM City of Smyrna License and Variance Board Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 8 of 11 The subject parcel is a 0.26-acre lot located on the north side of Ivanhoe Lane (Figure 1). The subject parcel and all adjacent properties are zoned R-15; all are occupied by single- family detached houses. In December 2024, a permit was issued to remodel the existing single-family home. During the footing inspection, the building inspector found that a front porch addition was added to the property, which was not on the original approved plan set. Shortly after, the applicant submitted the variance application. The applicant is currently remodeling the existing 1,132 square foot home with a 518 square foot addition and front porch. The porch as it exists on the property today is larger than what is presented on the variance site plan, as at staff recommendation, the applicant is bringing it more in line with neighboring properties. When completed per the variance site plan, the home will be 1,650 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms. With the renovations, the home will be brought closer into compliance with the 2,000 square foot R-15 floor area requirement. The existing home currently has an uncovered concrete front stoop as the main access to the home. As part of the overall renovation, the applicant is proposing to replace the existing stoop with a 170 square foot covered front porch to enjoy the front yard as well as enter the home in inclement weather more easily. The existing home is currently built on the front setback line, leaving no room for a roof over the existing front stoop, much less any other frontward expansion. The applicant has proposed that the new porch will be constructed 28.6 feet from the front property line and thus encroach on the front setback by 6.4 feet. No other variances are required for the renovations, as all other setbacks are met, and the property will be under the maximum impervious surface area of 35%. Since the existing home was constructed in 1958, prior to the adoption of the current Zoning Ordinance in 1974, Community Development believes the variance requested is the minimum variance needed to construct a usable front porch in the front yard. Community Development does not foresee any negative impacts to adjacent properties should the variance be approved. At the time of this report, Community Development has not received any calls in opposition to the request. The applicant requests a variance to reduce the front setback from 35 feet to 28.6 feet for the construction of a front porch. According to Section 1403 of the Zoning Ordinance, variances must be reviewed under the following standards: (1) Whether there are unique and special or extraordinary circumstances applying to the property; (2) Whether any alleged hardship is self-created by any person having an interest in the property; (3) Whether strict application of the relevant provisions of the code would deprive the applicant of reasonable use of the property; and (4) Whether the variance proposed is the minimum variance needed. After a review of the standards above, Community Development believes that the encroachment will not adversely affect surrounding residents; therefore, staff recommends approval of the requested variance with the following condition: 1. Approval of the requested variance shall be conditioned upon substantial compliance with the site plan and elevations submitted with the variance application. Mark Vargas, representative for the applicant who is out of the country, came forward and stated that he understands and agrees to the standard condition read into record.