Morgantown BZA grants rear-setback variance for enclosed rear deck at 1200 Douglas Ave.

Summary

The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a 19-foot rear-setback variance allowing an enclosed deck to be built behind a single-family house at 1200 Douglas Avenue, conditioned on standard planning code compliance; work done without permit was stopped and will be reviewed through the building permit process.

The City of Morgantown Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday granted a variance allowing an enclosed rear deck at 1200 Douglas Avenue to sit 6 feet from the rear property line, a 19-foot relief from the 25-foot principal-building rear setback required when a deck is roofed.

The variance matters because covering a deck changes its classification to a principal structure under the city zoning code, triggering a 25-foot rear setback. Planning staff told the board the proposed covered deck would otherwise sit within the property line and would not exceed height limits for the single-family dwelling.

Planning staff explained that if the deck were open (not roofed) it could be built closer to the property line, but “when you cover a deck, it kicks it up to principal building standards for setback purposes,” requiring the 25-foot measurement. The staff report identified a requested relief of 19 feet…

Morgantown BZA grants rear-setback variance for enclosed rear deck at 1200 Douglas Ave.

Summary

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