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Augusta BZA allows 10-foot rear setback for accessible garage at 3206 Walton Way
Summary
The Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance reducing the rear setback from 38 feet to 10 feet at 3206 Walton Way to permit a three-car, handicap-accessible attached garage; staff recommended denial but the board approved with conditions.
The Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance to reduce the rear-yard setback for 3206 Walton Way, allowing the construction of an attached three-car garage to support future handicap-accessible access.
Ashley Caterton, development services administrator, described the application: "This request involves a 0.67 acre tract…the applicant is seeking a variance to reduce the rear yard setback from 38 feet to 10 feet to allow for the construction of a new 3 car, 905 square feet garage addition to the existing house." Caterton said the minimum rear setback on the lot would otherwise be 38 feet under the comprehensive zoning ordinance's calculation.
Joel Hebert, speaking for JMAR Builders and the property owners, said the addition is intended to accommodate aging-in-place and future ramp access. Hebert said the existing garage will be converted to conditioned living space and that the new garage will provide room for vehicles and a ramp when needed.
Staff recommended denial because the petition did not meet all variance criteria, but included an alternate condition in its report noting that a detached accessory structure would be allowed at 10 feet and that the proposed attached configuration warranted careful consideration of visual impact and ramp run length. Caterton said staff examined visibility from the street, lot coverage, and potential impacts to neighbors when preparing its recommendation.
A board member moved to approve the variance with the staff-recommended condition allowing a minimum 10-foot rear setback for the attached garage; the motion was seconded and approved on a voice vote with no opposers. The record shows the board instructed staff to issue the approval letter to the applicant.
The variance allows the homeowners to build a 905-square-foot attached garage with a 10-foot rear setback, intended to permit installation of ramps or other accessibility improvements in the future.
