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ZBA grants variance for garage encroachment at 1921 Cambridge Road; homeowners to restore historic house
Summary
The Ann Arbor Zoning Board of Appeals granted a 4-foot-4-inch variance from the 40-foot average front setback to allow a new two-car garage and rooftop outdoor living space at 1921 Cambridge Road. The board received letters of neighbor support and discussion cited the home's historic architect, Albert Kahn.
The Ann Arbor Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant a variance of 4 feet 4 inches from section 5.18.5 (establishing a front building line) to allow construction of a new two-car garage at 1921 Cambridge Road.
City zoning coordinator John Barrett said the application requests the variance to permit a 752-square-foot, two-car garage to encroach into the 40-foot average front setback. The proposal also includes an outdoor patio and living area on the roof of the garage.
Architect Timothy Rizk, representing the property owners, said the existing single-car garage and associated retaining walls are failing and that the homeowners are committed to restoring the house and "preserving it for its historical character." Rizk noted the house was designed by Albert Kahn and said the new garage was intended to align with the original design rather than shifting the garage toward the driveway.
Petitioner representative Scott Crandall (noted in the staff presentation) and the architects said the garage is partially shielded by landscaping and retaining walls and that the change would not materially alter the street view. John Barrett showed the site plan and photos and pointed out that stairs and permitted egress features do not require the variance.
The board acknowledged receiving five letters of support from nearby addresses and discussed alternatives. A member noted that if averaging were not applied in that block the required setback would be 25 feet, and staff said many neighborhood lots are substantially deeper, which leads to a 40-foot averaging result.
The board’s motion, read into the record, grants the requested variance "in accordance with the established standards for approval" and directs construction to follow the submitted plans. Board members who explicitly recorded "yes" included Patty Laszkowski, Dharma Ackman, Julie Wetherbee, Dave DeVardi, Drew Denson and Todd Grant; the motion carried on the roll call.
Rizk told the board the homeowners will replace the failing garage regardless of whether the variance is granted, and that the proposed two-car configuration is intended to preserve the historic composition of the property while restoring structural elements.
The approval applies to the submitted design and does not substitute for building permits, structural permitting or other required reviews.
