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Planning commission tables home reconstruction plan, directs applicant to seek Board of Zoning Appeals review
Summary
University Heights Planning Commission voted to table a single‑family site plan and associated variances so the applicant can pursue required variances before the Board of Zoning Appeals; commissioners raised concerns about rear setback, building depth and lot coverage and urged the applicant to consider removing 2 feet from the rear footprint.
The University Heights Planning Commission on a unanimous vote tabled a site‑plan application that requires variances for rear setback, lot coverage and related measurements and directed the applicant to pursue relief through the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Commissioners said the proposed house sits deeper on its lot than neighboring houses and that the plans, as submitted, would create an 8‑foot rear setback variance because the building’s measured height (33 feet) makes the setback requirement larger than the standard 25 feet. “I would like to see a couple feet taken out,” Mr. Rock said during deliberations, urging the applicant to reduce the depth to lessen the rear encroachment and lot coverage.
Staff and commissioners clarified that decks are measured to the foundation for setback compliance and therefore the deck itself does not count toward the required rear setback. Planning staff explained the building’s actual height makes the effective setback requirement greater than 25 feet and that, with the building at 33 feet, the proposal would need an 8‑foot rear setback variance.
Commissioners discussed other options the applicant could pursue, including lowering the height to reduce the setback requirement or tightening interior layouts to trim the overall footprint; applicants said modest reductions would make rooms “tight” and might push them toward a different design or a complete re‑build.
The commission voted to table the item so the applicant can pursue BZA consideration of the variances and return with either BZA approvals or redesigned plans. The motion to table passed on roll call.
Next steps: the applicant may seek variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals; if BZA grants variances the planning commission indicated it would likely consider a conditional approval tied to those variances, otherwise the applicant must revise the plans and return for further review.
