BZA approves Lervy townhomes despite neighborsconcerns over landscaping, drainage and neighborhood character

The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division 2 on Oct. 14 granted a variance to allow 27% living material in the front yard for a proposed four-unit townhome project at 1507, 1501 and 1533 West New York Street, despite vocal neighbor opposition and questions from staff about site impacts.

The board voted 4-1 to approve the variance; Patrice Duckett Brown voted no while James Duke, Craig Von Dalen, Tom Barnes and Beth Brandon voted yes.

The variance reduces the front-yard living-material requirement the consolidated zoning and subdivision ordinance sets at 50% to 27% for the project. Petitioner representatives told the board they eliminated a previously requested fourth-floor conditioned space to bring building height into compliance and that the remaining request is limited to front-yard landscaping coverage.

Why it matters: The change will allow the developer to build four townhome units on an irregular, triangular corner lot that petitioners and staff said has practical difficulties for meeting the 50% living-material standard. Neighbors said the development as proposed would add hardscape, increase stormwater runoff onto adjacent properties and alter the historic character of the Stringtown neighborhood.

Petitioner presentation and commitments

Misha Rabinowitz, attorney for Lervy Loft Townhomes LLC, told the…