The Board of Zoning Appeals on July 24 approved a conditional use permit (CU-30-25) allowing an addition to create a duplex at 1004 South Palmer Avenue. The vote was unanimous, and approval is conditioned on the design shown in the packet, a required rental inspection and permit for any rental unit, and removal of the existing Palmer Avenue drive and parking area.

Joe Patterson, zoning and long-range planner, presented the staff report and found the duplex conforms with the Unified Development Ordinance and the city’s comprehensive plan’s mixed urban residential designation. Patterson said the existing house has one bedroom and the proposed addition would create two bedrooms in the new unit, connected by an integrated carport and alley access. He noted the petitioner had conducted a neighborhood meeting on June 2 and that attendees offered general favorable feedback and no major objections.

Petitioners Steve McCracken and Matt Ellenwood described the project as an infill, owner-oriented plan that also supports aging in place. McCracken said the design includes low thresholds and wide doorways to make the ground-floor unit accessible.

Board members asked several practical questions, including about vehicular access and parking. Patterson and the petitioners explained that the proposed carport (approximately 25 by 12 feet) is intended to provide a single covered parking spot and space for storage and that, per the UDO, access should be from the alley; the existing front-drive opening on Palmer will be removed.

A motion to adopt staff findings and approve CU-30-25 with the three stated conditions carried 5-0. The roll call was Burrell — yes; Fernandez — yes; Kacinko — yes; Throckmorton — yes; Ballard — yes.

The conditional use approval allows the petitioner to proceed to building-permit review subject to compliance with the conditions listed on the record.