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Board approves lot-size variance at 1493 Eugenia Drive to enable duplex subdivision
Summary
The City of Washington Board of Adjustment unanimously granted a variance Feb. 12 allowing Unit 1 at 1493 Eugenia Drive to have a 5,203-square-foot lot, below the 6,000-square-foot minimum, clearing the way for rezoning and a preliminary plat to subdivide a duplex.
The City of Washington Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a variance Feb. 12 permitting a reduced lot size for Unit 1 at 1493 Eugenia Drive, allowing a 5,203-square-foot lot where the code requires 6,000 square feet.
City staff told the board the property is currently zoned R‑2 as a duplex with a condominium association, and owners want to rezone to R‑1C (single-family attached) and subdivide so the units can be sold separately. Staff recommended approval of the variance. Mark Frankenberg, representing the owners, said the parcel’s configuration and a cul‑de‑sac limited viable lot layouts and that similar subdivisions have occurred in town.
Frankenberg told the board the subdivision layout largely reflects a longstanding lot pattern and that Planning and Zoning had given unanimous approval the prior Monday for the rezoning and preliminary plat contingent on the lot-size variance. He described prior local projects with lots below 5,000 square feet and said this request follows established local practice.
Staff noted that a city sewer main runs nearby and that the city code contains language allowing existing joint building sewer connections serving more than one unit to remain in use if shown on the plat; that provision will permit the units to share the existing sewer connection rather than requiring separate connections immediately behind the subdivision.
A resolution read into the record cited City Code section 400.065(f)(4) (minimum lot area 6,000 square feet), found that the applicant requested a variance to permit a 5,203-square-foot lot, and granted the request provided all other ordinances and regulations are met. The resolution directs the city engineer to issue a building permit in accordance with the decision.
The vote was recorded as follows: Board member Jason Pelin — yes; Board member Kevin Creedy — yes; Board member Gwen Montel — yes; Mark Scornia — yes; Board member Samantha Wacker — yes. The motion passed unanimously.
Board discussion included acknowledgement that the reduced lot size is intended to address a practical barrier to selling the individual units rather than to subvert minimum lot-size requirements. The board did not attach additional conditions beyond standard compliance with city ordinances.
