Variance #1240 –  3741 Grecian Way – A variance from 27-310(g) requiring a maximum projection in a front yard setback of 4 feet for a proposed covered unenclosed porch to allow a maximum projection of 8.5 feet in a Planned Development – Residential 9,600 (PD-R96) zone on Lot 35, Block 7 of Olympic Park Subdivision, a 7,000 square foot parcel of land. Tax ID: C10021. Presented by Karen Husman, Planner I.
 

Planning Staff is recommending conditional approval.

OWNERS:                              Frank Corkish
AGENT:                                 None
PURPOSE:                            To a maximum projection of 8.5 feet in the front setback.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:        Lot 35, Block 7 of Olympic Park Subdivision
ADDRESS:                            3741 Grecian
EXISTING LAND USE:         Residential
PROPOSED LAND USE:     Residential
EXISTING ZONING:             Residential-9600 (R-96)

None.

Records show there have been five variance applications in this subdivision. Four for setbacks and one for fence height. 

NORTH:   Zoning:      PD (R-96)
                  Land Use:  Single Family Dwellings
SOUTH:    Zoning:      PD (R-96)
                  Land Use:  Single Family Dwellings
EAST:       Zoning:      PD (R-96)
                  Land Use: Single Family Dwellings
WEST:      Zoning:      PD (R-96)
                  Land Use: Single Family Dwellings

This is an application to construct a proposed covered unenclosed porch to allow a maximum projection of 8’5” into the front yard setback where 4 feet is the current maximum projection. The property is located at 3741 Grecian Way, in the Olympic Park Subdivision, a planned development.  The legal advertisement referred to 8’5” into the front setback in Section 27-310(g) as the requested variance when according to the site plan submitted and Staff research the variance would actually be for 11’ into the front yard setback.
 
The site plan submitted indicates the house is 24’6” from the front property line.  Staff’s research indicated the property line is approximately 2’6” behind the line indicated by the applicant.  This would determine the proposed encroachment into the setback would actually be 11’.  Staff is recommending the board consider conditional approval for a variance to allow the applicant an encroachment of 8 feet into the setback, this would allow a 10-foot porch roof, and sufficient protection from the elements.  The property owner may construct a 6’ front porch without a variance approval. Photos are also attached of the neighboring houses of similar size, elevation and lot, in an effort to show that there are no other porches in the area similar to what is being proposed.
 
There have been five variance applications in this subdivision. Four were for setbacks (three approved, one denied), one for fence height (approved).  Staff visited the site and the surrounding neighborhoods and determined the front porch encroaching into the front yard 11’ would grant this applicant a privilege others in the neighborhood do not currently have.  There are a few properties that have open (no roof) unenclosed decks off the front of the property, they appear to be encroaching up to 7’ into the front yard setback.   
 
Planning staff has reviewed this application and is forwarding a recommendation of conditional approval to allow the front porch encroachment into the setback not to exceed 8 feet.

Planning Staff is recommending conditional approval of City Variance #1240 based on the criteria for variances.