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Zoning board approves variance for attached garage at 144 Bellevue Drive
Summary
The Rapid City Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a variance Feb. 6 to reduce the east side yard setback from 8 feet to 2 feet 6 inches so the owner of 144 Bellevue Drive can replace a failing 1952 carport with a single-stall attached garage, with a fire‑rated east wall required.
The Rapid City Zoning Board of Adjustment on Feb. 6 approved a variance to reduce the east side yard setback at 144 Bellevue Drive from 8 feet to 2 feet 6 inches to allow construction of a single‑stall attached garage.
Staff planner Cassie Hayes told the board the property’s existing carport was built in 1952, measures about 218 square feet and is “currently in disrepair,” including failing concrete, and that the applicant proposes a roughly 12‑by‑28‑foot garage (about 334 square feet) with a standard single‑stall garage door. Hayes said the existing carport sits about 5.1 feet from the east property line and is thus legal nonconforming; replacing it with the proposed garage would require a variance because the code calls for an 8‑foot side yard setback.
The requested variance was described in staff materials as the minimum adjustment necessary. Hayes noted an alternate garage location in the rear yard could meet setbacks but would require removal of a deck, extension of the driveway and extension of a retaining wall. The fire department recommended that the east wall of the new garage be built with fire‑rated materials approved by the building official and contain no windows or soffit vents; that requirement was included as a stipulation if the variance were approved.
Commissioner Karen said the proposal “seems to be the right avenue for this property and kinda fits in the neighborhood,” and Commissioner Vicki noted similar single‑stall garages are common on the street. Hayes told the board she had received no public comment and that the neighbor immediately east had indicated no concerns during a preapplication discussion.
Commissioner Karen moved to approve the variance with the staff criteria and the fire‑rated wall stipulation; Commissioner Vince seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote; individual roll‑call votes were not recorded in the meeting transcript.
The variance allows the owner to remove the existing carport, repair the concrete foundation and build the attached garage 2 feet 6 inches from the east property line, subject to the fire‑safety stipulation.
