The Board of Adjustment approved a major design exception allowing a covered front porch at 1742 Hillside Drive Northwest, reducing the required front-yard setback from 17 feet to 13.25 feet. Amy Eisenbeis of Development Services presented the staff report and recommended approval; the board approved the exception by voice vote after hearing objections and questions from adjacent neighbors about broader construction activity on the property.

Amy Eisenbeis, development services staff, told the board the lot is zoned Suburban Residential Low (single-unit) and is 6,688 square feet. The petitioner requested up to a 50% reduction to the front-yard setback for an 11-by-19-foot porch (presented as an 11-by-17 earlier in staff slides) and staff found the request was "not inconsistent with the city's comprehensive plan" and that the exception would "allow the property to utilize the buildable area." Staff noted a design exception allowing reductions of up to 50% is permitted under the zoning ordinance and recommended approval.

The applicant, Thomas Sherbel (1742 Hillside Drive NW), said the porch is intended as a covered entrance and described contractors he said would perform the work—he named "Homestyle Remodeling" (also spoken as "Hometown Remodeling" in the record) and said Iowa Concrete Walls was engaged to cut windows and extend the lower-level windows. Sherbel apologized to neighbors for prior disruptions and said the city is scheduling work to relocate a gas line before further work proceeds. He said, "So it's just be nice to have a covered porch." (applicant paraphrase in record.)

Two adjacent neighbors, Jean Erickson (1810 Hillside Drive NW) and Keith Erickson (1810 Hillside Drive NW), objected to the broader construction activity and raised specific concerns: repeated driveway obstructions by the petitioner’s vehicles in the past, a motor home parked near the street that once blocked trash service, excavation that allegedly damaged underground utilities and caused multi-day internet outages, and a temporary construction access that they said crossed onto their property without permission. Keith Erickson said he believed heavy equipment may need to cross his property to remove large concrete chunks left after foundation work and asked the city to confirm whether construction would encroach onto his land.

City staff (including a staff member identified as "Seth" in the record) and the chair noted that the Board of Adjustment’s decision is limited to the setback exception and not a forum for resolving private boundary disputes. Staff said they would take the neighbors' contact information and research whether additional permits or violations exist; the record indicates a city inspector (referred to as Lewis Bump) has been involved and that the city could withhold permits if code violations are found. The chair encouraged parties to follow up with Building Services to resolve outstanding concerns.

Board action: A board member moved to approve "major design exception ADMD 0005512025" and a second was recorded. The chair called for a voice vote: "Aye," with no opposition voiced and the motion carried. The chair asked neighbors and the applicant to follow up with Building Services for permit and enforcement matters.

Why it matters: While the board approved the porch itself, neighbors raised larger concerns about ongoing and potentially encroaching construction activity, alleged utility impacts and property-line disputes. Staff said enforcement tools (permit withholding, inspections) are available and committed to follow-up.

Details and context: Staff said the property previously had work underway and that some of that activity is under inspection. Neighbors requested copies of any permits; staff offered to research and follow up. The board emphasized it was acting only on the setback exception.