Variance granted to improve second-floor fire egress at 408 Mulberry Street

The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance of development standards on July 14 to permit construction in existing setbacks at 408 Mulberry Street, allowing new exterior stairs and a smaller replacement shed to improve emergency egress from the building’s second floor.

The variance authorizes 0-foot setbacks on the north and west lot lines and a half-foot on the east lot line at the indicated corner where an existing shed sits. The applicant, identified in the hearing record as Alexander/Timothy (transcript identifies the applicant as Timothy Godward/Goddard depending on transcript lines), said the existing shed sits within inches of the lot line and that replacing it with a smaller shed and routing stairs around it would allow a proper egress route. “I would be building in the setback at the current location of where the current shed is,” the applicant said, describing plans for stairs that would not be closer to the lot line than the current footprint.

Board members reviewed the nine findings the zoning ordinance requires for a variance and unanimously agreed the change would improve safety and not harm the surrounding properties or public welfare. The motion to approve the variance passed on roll call: Nancy Burkhart — yes; Rick Farris — yes; Mark Acosta — yes; Carl Eaglin — yes; Scott Baldwin — yes.

Staff noted the structure is older than the shed, the shed is not historic, and the project will involve a concrete pad in the same footprint. The board and the applicant confirmed that the stairs and new shed would be subject to building permits and inspections.

The board’s approval was framed as an improvement to building safety and emergency egress. The applicant was advised to coordinate with the building inspector for permits and inspections before construction begins.