Board approves addition that will enclose exterior stair despite split vote; drainage and nonconformity concerns raised

The City of Lorraine Board of Appeals on Aug. 6 approved a variance allowing an owner to enclose an existing exterior basement stair and add a wraparound veranda at 1253 East Erie Avenue, despite board discussion about drainage, nonconformity and construction impacts on neighboring property.

Mushtaq Mahmood (also recorded as Mushtaq Mahmood), the property owner and a physician, told the board he bought an older, vacant house built about 1960 and is rehabilitating it for his family. “This is a safety issue,” Mahmood said, describing exposed concrete stairs that he said collect leaves and ice and allow water to enter the basement. He said the work would protect his family and preserve the foundation.

Ed Sutliff, the project designer, said the house is set close to the lot line, that the existing structure and stairwell are integral to the foundation, and that the neighbor had provided a survey showing the…