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Commission approves front-setback variance for porch at 828 Sixth Avenue NW
Summary
Planning commissioners granted a variance to reduce the front-yard setback from 20 feet to 12 feet so the owner may construct a 15-by-8-foot porch on an unusually shallow lot at 828 Sixth Avenue Northwest.
The Minot Planning Commission on Oct. 7 approved a variance reducing the front-yard setback from 20 feet to 12 feet to allow construction of a 15-by-8-foot porch at 828 Sixth Avenue Northwest.
City staff said the lot is unusually shallow — approximately 3,650 square feet, roughly half the size of a standard older Minot lot — and therefore does not qualify for the usual porch setback reduction in the Land Development Ordinance. Staff recommended approval, finding the hardship of exceptional shallowness was not created by the applicant and met the ordinance standard for a variance.
Staff described the proposed work as removal of a small existing porch and construction of a longer 15-foot-by-8-foot porch on the west side of the house. The planning commission's motion cited the staff findings of fact and specifically noted the hardship of exceptional shallowness as justification for granting the variance.
Commissioner Kibler moved to approve the variance based on staff findings and validation of the hardship; Commissioner Amick seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous and the motion carried.
The approval allows the owner to construct the porch subject to building permits and any required inspections. The commission recorded the exceptional shallowness of the lot as the controlling hardship for the variance.
