Board approves setback variance for moved house at corner lot near Campbell and Long Hill

The Board of Adjustment on Sept. 23 approved a variance allowing EIC Enterprises LLC to place a moved house 17 feet from the Long Hill Avenue frontage on a corner lot adjacent to 632 Campbell Avenue, three feet closer than the 20-foot front-yard requirement in the R-2 1 and two-family residence district. Planning staff said the house will be moved from 3280 Newell Street and that because it is a relocated structure the layout options are constrained; staff recommended approval because the home will match neighborhood character and because meeting the long-dimension setback would make the proposed move infeasible. Staff reported two calls in favor of the request and no recorded opposition. Jared Hottle of EIC Enterprises said he is under a purchase agreement for the lot and expects to close in December; he told the board the house includes an attached garage that will likely be transported in two pieces and reassembled on site. Eric Schroeder of the City of Waterloo explained the city currently owns the Newell Street property and that a development agreement would allow the applicant to move the house so the city would not have to demolish it. City Engineer Jamie Knudson reminded the applicant to obtain necessary permits, bonds and route approvals for moving the structure and to coordinate with utilities, police and fire. A board member moved to approve the setback variance; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.