Longmont commission denies setback variance for garage at 1154 Venice Street

Summary

The Longmont Planning & Zoning Commission, sitting as the Board of Adjustment, denied a variance request to build a detached garage with 5-foot setbacks where the code requires larger distances. Commissioners cited sight-line and review-criteria concerns; the decision is subject to a seven-day appeal period.

The Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Longmont, sitting as the Board of Adjustment, voted 5-0 on Sept. 24 to deny a request for a setback variance at 1154 Venice Street that would have allowed a proposed detached garage to sit 5 feet from two property lines where larger setbacks are required.

The applicant, William Neff, who identified himself as the homeowner at 1154 Venice Street, asked for a 5-foot front setback where the Land Use Code requires 15 feet and a 5-foot rear setback where 6 feet is required. Neff said the standalone garage would spare him from scraping ice and snow off his car after recent health problems and asbestos remediation tied to the house’s older additions. “I didn’t want to... scrape ice and snow off the car this next winter,” Neff said.

Commissioners focused on safety, code consistency and the variance review criteria. Commissioner Boone said buildings placed near a street/alley corner can block the view corridor used for vehicle and pedestrian safety and that the…

Longmont commission denies setback variance for garage at 1154 Venice Street

Summary

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