Historic zoning panel approves rear addition at 1401 Fourth Avenue North after debate over 10-foot setback

The Historic Zoning Commission voted to approve a preservation permit for an addition connecting two historic houses at 1401 Fourth Avenue North after debating whether the city's 10-foot base zoning side-street setback should control or the Germantown design guidelines should govern the project.

The commission's decision follows staff recommendation that the proposed 7-foot setback did not meet the base zoning requirement and that pushing the addition back would provide a better transition to the adjacent historic house on Taylor Street. "Staff does not support the proposed setback determination as there are no site or other constraints that make it difficult to meet that 10 foot setback," the staff presentation said.

The applicant's architect, Mark Robin, argued the MUN base-zoning setback was…