The Fayetteville Board of Adjustments on July 7 approved a variance allowing Full Circle Holdings LLC to reconstruct and enlarge two exterior staircases at 426 East Lafayette Street, a property zoned RSF-4 (residential single-family, four units per acre).

City staff said the house — built around 1936 and located just outside the Washington Willow Historic District — is a legally nonconforming structure. Under the city’s code (referenced in staff remarks as a requirement 01/2012), expansion of a nonconforming structure generally requires a variance. The applicant requested approximately 14.5 feet of front-setback relief; staff estimated the new stair work would expand the encroachment by about 43 square feet total across both staircases.

Staff recommended approval, finding the applicant met the threshold for undue hardship because the existing exterior stairs provide primary ingress and egress and do not meet current tread and rise requirements. Staff said the proposal represented the minimum variance necessary to provide a safe, code-compliant means of access while respecting the home’s original architecture. Staff noted alternatives such as rezoning, removing the stairs, or extensive interior remodeling were impractical or disproportionate.

Audie Lack of MBL Architecture spoke for the applicant and said staff had accurately described the condition. Staff reported receiving public comment in support and none in opposition. The approved work will include updated stair tread and railing but not a covered structure above the stairs.

A board member moved to approve the variance with staff conditions; the motion carried.