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Wildwood board allows front porch expansion on Wilderness Trail with materials condition
Summary
The Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a variance to reduce the front yard setback to allow replacement and modest expansion of a covered porch at 3321 Wilderness Trail, conditional on porch materials matching the existing dwelling.
The City of Wildwood Board of Adjustment on Aug. 14 approved a variance allowing a homeowner to replace and modestly enlarge a front covered porch at 3321 Wilderness Trail, reducing the required setback from the private roadway easement.
The board voted unanimously to approve the request, conditioned on the porch materials matching the existing dwelling.
Robin Keith, planner for the Department of Planning, said the subject lot is 3.21 acres on a 30‑foot gravel private road that connects to Melrose Road and that the lot is zoned nonurban residence, which requires a 50‑foot front yard setback from the roadway easement. Keith described a proposed porch measuring 6 feet, 8 inches by 29 feet, 6 inches and said the department supports the request, concluding it would have minimal neighborhood impacts and might add to neighborhood vitality. Keith recommended approval provided materials match the existing dwelling.
Petitioner Jennifer Mosley, who identified herself as the homeowner at 3321 Wilderness Trail, told the board the existing porch needs replacement and that the change will provide a bit more seating and structural support for the roof. “We are just requesting to have… a gabled, front porch on there and then extend it out so we have a little more patio space down front,” Mosley said in her presentation.
Planning staff noted the submitted site plan measured the proposed porch 44.2 feet from the roadway easement and also read the formal request language that sought a 40‑foot setback in lieu of the required 50 feet. The planner told the board the parcel’s topography and tree cover help moderate visual impacts from the road.
After brief discussion the board approved the variance with the stated condition that the porch materials match the existing home. Chair Jared Frank announced the unanimous vote and congratulated the petitioner.
