Bexley board approves side-yard and temporary driveway variances to preserve large locust tree and accommodate homeowner’s disabled parent

The Bexley Board of Zoning and Planning on June 2025 approved two variances for 188 North Cassingham that will allow a 2.65‑foot encroachment into the side‑yard setback to build an addition and a temporary exception to the city rule requiring driveways to provide rear‑yard parking.

The two variances were presented by Steven Miller, the applicant’s representative, and the homeowners, Dimitri and Nadia Kasvin. Matt Klingler, city planning staff, summarized the request and said the driveway variance is sought to allow front‑yard driveway access “because of the addition” and to accommodate a disabled family member who will be living on the first floor. Klingler also described the property’s setting and said the addition would encroach 2.65 feet into the R‑6 side‑yard setback and that the lot is 50 feet wide so the required side yard is eight feet.

The board’s deliberations centered on two competing priorities: saving the property’s large black locust tree and the family’s need to provide accessible vehicle access for an…