The Board of Zoning and Planning on Thursday approved a special permit allowing a functional dormer on a new two-car detached garage at 186 South Roosevelt.

The decision came after staff and the Architectural Review Board recommended approval and the applicant described the existing garage as "very old and dilapidated" and said the new building would provide an office space separate from the house. The board read findings of facts and conclusions of law, then voted to grant the special permit and a certificate of appropriateness.

The project proposes to replace a one-and-a-half-car detached garage with a new two-car detached garage. Staff told the board the structure is in an R-6 zoning district and requires a special permit under the accessory-structure code only because it includes a functional dormer; the dormer faces the street rather than neighboring properties. The Architectural Review Board recommended the project as a consent-item, and staff said it saw no issues with the proposal.

Applicant Brandon Parker said the couple wanted more natural light and a separate upstairs office space to allow focused work away from family activity. Staff member Sonia described the dormer as “scaled down” and noted the garage is set well back from the street so the street view would be minimally affected.

Chad (staff) read the findings of fact and conclusions of law on the record; the applicant acknowledged understanding them. Following a motion and a second, the roll call vote recorded several board members voting yes and the chair announced the motion passed.

The board did not identify any conditions beyond the issuance of the special permit and certificate of appropriateness. No neighbor objections were reported during the public hearing.

The applicant may now proceed with final design and permit steps consistent with the approved drawings and the accessory-structure provisions cited by staff.