The Fayetteville Board of Adjustment voted to table DOA 20250011, a request to place an attached garage/carport on the west and south setbacks of a single-family lot in the Washington‑Willow Historic District, after applicants and staff discussed flooding, building code separation and missing property-line measurements.

Planning staff described the parcel on Lafayette Street as an RSF-4 lot with a contributing structure in the Washington‑Willow National Register historic district. Staff recommended denial, concluding the applicant had not demonstrated the legal hardship required for a 0-foot side and rear setback for a structure roughly 14 by 45–50 feet. Staff also noted the lot is slightly undersized for RSF-4 (about 63 feet wide, roughly 7,000 sq. ft.) and that covered parking is convenience rather than required by code.

Applicant Justine Rose described extensive interior renovation work and persistent basement water intrusion. Rose said the house’s basement water problems had become a health concern: “the basement, for some reason, is making me sick,” she said, adding she is under care of a pulmonologist. Rose and her husband said a garage (or carport) placed adjacent to the problem corner could reduce groundwater intrusion and provide covered parking or future ADU space for a son.

Board members and staff pressed for exact dimensions, a boundary survey rather than measurements to a fence, and clarity about fire-separation and utility easements. Several members said a carport alternative would be less problematic from a fire- and buildability-standpoint and urged the applicant to provide clearer drawings and survey data. The board voted to table the item to the July 7 meeting to allow the applicant to supply the requested information. The motion to table was made by Board member Fox and seconded by Board member Keyes and carried by voice vote.

Planning staff reminded the applicant that building-permit review and building-code issues (including fire separation) would be handled by building-safety staff and that constructing within setbacks could affect neighboring properties’ future buildability.