Emily and James Farwell were granted a variance Oct. 20 by the Board of Appeals to allow a previously approved addition to extend closer to the street at 4808 Shore Acres Road. The board found the property's preexisting nonconformity and the loss of a usable bedroom if the addition were pushed back supported the variance.
The Farwells told the board they had received an earlier variance in July to add living space, a two-car garage and expanded basement, and that the new request is to add roughly 5 feet more into the previously approved footprint to accommodate a laundry sink and storage for family equipment. "All we're really asking for is another 5 feet," applicant Emily Farwell said during the hearing.
Doug, city zoning staff who reviewed the application, told the board the additional encroachment affects only the street-yard setback; the side yard would remain in compliance. Staff also said the item was brought back for further consideration to make sure adjacent property owners were aware of the additional encroachment.
Board members noted the July findings that the house predates the zoning ordinance and that moving the addition back would reduce a three-bedroom house to two bedrooms by covering a bedroom window. A board member moved to approve the variance using the same findings as the earlier approval; another board member seconded the motion. The board voted in favor; the motion carried.
The variance approval allows the Farwells to proceed with the addition as presented. No formal conditions or follow-up tasks were recorded in the hearing record.