June 17, 2025 — The Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously granted a variance that allows a 305-square-foot deck at 8364 Somerville Drive to encroach 9 feet 6 inches into an existing 15-foot drainage and utility easement.

Pamela Molon filed the variance under ordinance section 7-43-3-o6-a4-d to permit the deck. The contractor and presenter, identified as Ryan, told the board the request is similar to a project completed two years earlier on the same street and that the proposed deck will be paved and built of composite material. "This is basically the second time requesting this variance," Ryan said.

City staff recommended approval. Renee Rafala, interim director of public works for the City of Lawrence, said she visited the site and found no evidence of drainage problems, even after recent heavy rain. "The city of Lawrence is in support of this. I did visit the site. There was no evidence, even with all this rain we've had, of any drainage issues in the area, so we're not concerned," Rafala said.

Board members asked about materials and drainage testing. The contractor said the new work will match the current paved driveway and that footings would be dug for the deck; no formal drainage testing had been performed and the contractor said the project would be minimal disturbance.

The board voted to grant the variance. The petitioner and contractor were advised to follow standard permitting and drainage-permit procedures if later site disturbance thresholds are exceeded by grading or driveway work.

Background: the property sits adjacent to a state park boundary; the contractor said the deck will stop several feet from any fence line. The variance allows the deck to extend into the drainage and utility easement by the specified amount.