The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division 1 denied a variance request Wednesday that would have allowed four-car detached garages with three-foot side-yard setbacks on two infill lots at 2429 and 2431 North College Avenue.

The petitioner, Redevelopment Group LLC, sought variances of development standards to construct attached four-car garages behind duplex units on both lots. The firm argued that a 40-foot garage footprint is a reasonable modern standard and that narrow garages would reduce marketability for prospective buyers who want storage and room for car doors.

Why it matters: The board found that the lots have sufficient width to accommodate compliant parking spaces without reduced setbacks. Staff noted the residential parking-space standard is 8.5 feet per space; multiplied by four spaces yields 34 feet, leaving two feet of additional width before any variance would be needed. Staff concluded there was no practical difficulty that would justify the requested variance and recommended denial.

Josh Dubeck, representing Redevelopment Group, said the developer has completed similar projects downtown and that detached garage space is an important market amenity. He said the requested dimensions matched other recent projects the developer completed and cited six letters of support from nearby owners.

Staff emphasized the project could meet required parking without a variance and that the board’s statutory findings for a variance were not met. After discussion, the board voted 3–1 to deny the variance (2025‑DV1‑043); Jennifer Witt cast the lone yes vote.

What’s next: The petitioner may revise the design to conform to setback and parking rules or choose an alternate parking arrangement that does not require reduced side-yard setbacks.