City Variance 1250 – 1147 O’Malley Drive – Detached Garage - A variance from 27-310(i) requiring a maximum garage foot print of 1,013 square feet to allow a detached garage foot print of 1,250 square feet; to allow a side wall height greater than 10 feet to allow a sidewall height of 15.5 feet; and from the required 8-foot side setback for a structure over 18 feet in height to allow a 5-foot side setback in a Residential 9,600 (R-96) zone, on Lot 1, and the West 1.67 feet of Lot 2, Block 2 of Neidemire Subdivision, a 11,745 square foot parcel of land generally located at 1147 O’Malley Drive. Tax ID: A11290. Presented by Karen Husman, Planner I
 

Planning staff recommends denial based on the findings of the 7 criteria for Variance 1250.

OWNERS:                              Mark Morhead
AGENT:                                  Travis McDowell, Bluewater Design
PURPOSE:                             Allow a detached garage foot print of 1,250 square feet
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:            Lot 1, & the West 1.67 feet of Lot 2, Block 2 of Neidemire Subdivision
ADDRESS:                             1147 O’Malley Drive
EXISTING LAND USE:             Residential
PROPOSED LAND USE:         Residential
EXISTING ZONING:                  Residential-9,600 (R-96)

None.

Subject Property - This is the original zoning of the subject property since 1972.

Surrounding Property - Records show there have been five variances in the surrounding neighborhoods, all were for setbacks.

NORTH:   Zoning:      R-96
                  Land Use:  Residential single family
SOUTH:    Zoning:   R-96
                  Land Use:  Residential single family    
EAST:       Zoning:      R-96
                  Land Use:  Residential single family
WEST:      Zoning:      R-96
                  Land Use:  Residential single family

The applicant is requesting a variance from 27-310(i) requiring a maximum garage foot print of 1,013 square feet to allow a detached garage foot print of 1,250 square feet and requesting a variance from the wall height restriction of no higher than the wall height of the existing single family dwelling.  The existing SFD wall height is 10 feet, they are requesting a wall height of 15’5” for the proposed garage.  In order to build the proposed garage as submitted, they would also need a variance from the setback restrictions for a structure over 18 feet in height from an 8 foot side setback to 5 foot side setback as proposed in a Residential 9,600 (R-96) zone. 
 
There have been five variance applications in surrounding subdivisions and all were for setbacks (all conditionally approved).  Staff did not find any properties in the vicinity with a larger garage than allowed, or any similar to what is being requested by the applicant. There were not sufficient findings to support approval of a garage larger than what is allowed, however there are sufficient findings to support reconstruction of the existing garage with an increased size to the maximum allowed square footage of 1,013 square feet for a detached structure and reduced setbacks.
 
Planning staff has reviewed this application and is forwarding a recommendation denial for Variance request #1250, based on the determinations for granting a variance.

Staff recommends denial based on the findings of the 7 criteria for Variance 1250.