Board approves variance to raise garage height and footprint at Hillcrest Street South

The Hilliard Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing a detached garage at 4707 Hillcrest Street South to exceed the code’s height and floor-area limits, increasing height from 14 feet to 17.5 feet and floor area from 537 to 816 square feet, with three staff-recommended conditions.

Staff told the board the code allows a 14-foot maximum height and 537 square-foot maximum floor area for detached garages; the applicant proposes a 17.5-foot-high, 816-square-foot garage, largely using an existing foundation. Staff said many nearby garages are larger and that the lots in older subdivisions are smaller, making variances more common. Based on staff findings that the variance was not substantial and was consistent with the spirit of the code, staff recommended approval with three conditions.

Applicant Chris Minor told the board the proposal does not increase the existing footprint and that a previous permit may have been approved in error; the new request seeks to rebuild on the existing foundation and bring the structure into compliance with the variance on height and area. A board member moved to approve case BZA 2521 with the three conditions; the motion passed 4-0 with Steele, McGee, Antle and Barfield recorded as voting yes.

The approval applies to the garage dimensions and the three conditions; any future change would require compliance with applicable Hilliard Code sections and possibly return to the board.