The City of Central Board of Adjustment approved two variances for Sean and Christine Valencia of 12858 Duvall Road to allow a 5-foot side-yard setback and to permit the new accessory building to be within five feet of existing structures. The Valencias told the board they plan a 40-by-75 shop that includes an approximately 800-square-foot apartment for the applicant’s grandmother and said the property’s topography — including a pond — limits placement.
Christine Valencia said, “We are requesting a side yard variance and a minimum variance from a residential structure on the property already,” and described the 40-by-75 shop and the 800-square-foot apartment. Neighbor Benjamin Bradshaw, who said he lives at 12878 Duvall Road, told the board, “I have no objection to the to the side variance of 5 feet.”
Board members discussed site constraints including a pond that affects where a building can be placed, an existing outbuilding that currently straddles a property line, and utilities that run near the property line and will need to be rerouted. Staff and board members noted the city code’s 10-foot separation requirement between structures and that the fire marshal requires a firewall where buildings are within 10 feet of each other. The board initially approved the side-yard variance citing topographical hardship, then approved a separate variance authorizing five feet of separation from existing structures based on the plans to be submitted.
The board directed the applicants to work with planning and building staff on final siting, rerouting of utilities, and any permit conditions, including any fire-marshal requirements. The board indicated the final location and exact separation to other structures will be verified during the building-permit review.