Board approves rear-yard variance for 14-by-14 home addition at 1008 North Seventh Court

The Indianola Board of Adjustment approved a variance for Joseph and Christy Kerner to build a covered 14-by-14-foot addition at 1008 North Seventh Court that will encroach into the required rear-yard setback.

Bill (city staff) explained the property is Lot 16 of Treeline Plat 1, containing 0.17 acres. The code requires a 35-foot rear-yard setback; the existing house sits at about that 35-foot line, and the proposed 14-by-14 (196-square-foot) covered addition would extend 14 feet into the rear-yard setback, creating a need for a 14-foot variance. Staff noted the code allows certain uncovered features to extend up to 20 feet into rear yards, but because the proposed addition would be covered, that provision does not apply and the variance was required.

Bill said he had received one phone call from a neighbor in favor of the application and that staff recommended approval. Board members asked clarifying questions about the site and surrounding zoning; staff noted the property abuts residential zoning and clarified the site plan submitted by the contractor shows the proposed location on the rear of the house.

A motion to grant the requested variance carried on roll call with Bash, Solich, Mitchell, Whelan and Hoover voting in favor.