BOZA approves setback variance to allow porch cover at 3550 Sixteenth Street

The Board of Zoning Adjustments (BOZA) approved a front-yard setback variance for 3550 Sixteenth Street, allowing a covered porch to be added to an existing elevated deck that serves as the home’s primary entrance. The board voted 3-0 to approve BOZ2025-00007 at the meeting; the motion was made by Katie Crane and seconded by Sean Haney.

BOZA staff presented the request as a variance to Boulder Revised Code section 9-7-1. Robbie Wyler, planning and development services staff and BOZA liaison, told the board the proposal would leave the existing deck footprint in place and add a roof cover, new side stairs to the driveway and a screen wall. Wyler said staff reviewed the variance criteria in section 9-2-3 (H1 and H5) and recommended approval: "staff is in support of this variance request as it has been proposed." Wyler also said the resulting front setback would be approximately 19.1 feet where 25 feet is required and that the house was permitted circa 1970 with a prior administrative setback variance issued in March 1996 (AR 96-8).

Jeff Orchard, the project architect, said the current application is largely driven by more accurate modern surveys showing the home sits closer to the front property line than earlier ILCs indicated. Orchard said the intent is to keep and adapt the existing deck rather than demolish and rebuild, and that the roof is to protect the entry from weather and the western sun: "the roof over it, of course, is for weather and the western sun." He also explained proposed stairs down to the driveway to make the entry clearer and more accessible for visitors and deliveries.

Wyler told the board the project would not increase floor area (existing/proposed floor area listed as 2,464 square feet) and that building coverage (about 1,537 square feet) remains well below the maximum allowed for the zoning district (2,490 square feet). Staff also reported multiple letters of neighborhood support, including from the immediately adjacent north and south property owners, and that no members of the public signed up to speak during the public comment period.

During discussion, board member Sean Haney said the proposal appeared to meet the variance standards and described the situation as a product of prior survey inaccuracy rather than a hardship created by the current homeowner. Crane and the chair agreed. Crane moved to approve BOZ2025-00007; Sean Haney seconded. The roll call vote was Sean Haney — yes; Katie Crane — yes; Nikki, chair of the Board of Zoning Adjustments — yes. The chair announced: "Congratulations, Jeff. And the homeowner, your application has been approved as submitted." No conditions or amendments were recorded.

The board then approved the meeting minutes by a separate 3-0 vote and adjourned. The staff liaison said BOZA application and guide forms will be updated in the coming months to improve accessibility and consistency with other city boards.

Details of the variance, the applicant’s presentation, staff recommendation, neighbor support and the board’s unanimous approval were recorded in the meeting transcript.