The Davenport Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 26 granted a hardship variance allowing a 30-by-24-foot detached garage to encroach into the corner side yard of a lot with three street frontages at 440 Court in Ward 3.

Staff said the property’s configuration — three fronting streets with no traditional side yard — effectively prevents construction of an accessory building that would meet the current ordinance’s setback rules. Under the variance the garage will sit 15 feet from the Telegraph Road lot line and 24 feet from the Lincoln Avenue lot line; staff noted that if the structure were attached to the house it would meet principal setbacks.

The board approved the variance with two staff conditions: the existing driveway shall be used for access to the proposed garage and paved as necessary; and the garage must include the two windows facing Telegraph Road shown in the submitted plans. Scott Cope, Department of Neighborhood Services staff, said the conditions will be enforced through the building department’s approval process.

Matt Russell, representing the property owner Thomas Chateau, told the board he had prepared the site and the plans and said the garage would provide secure off‑street parking for three to four cars. “This guy just wants to get 3, 4 cars up in a secure driveway,” Russell said, and added that he believed the project would be “good for the neighborhood.”

Staff reported that notices were mailed to 22 properties and one comment in favor was received. After brief discussion the board voted to approve the request; members confirmed they were comfortable with staff’s conditions before taking the roll call.

The board’s approval allows construction to proceed subject to building permit review and the two staff conditions intended to preserve neighborhood character and ensure proper access.