DDRC denies request to keep front-yard parking pad at 1427 Hagood Avenue; orders removal within 90 days

The Design and Development Review Commission voted to deny an applicant’s request to keep an expanded front-yard parking pad at 1427 Hagood Avenue and ordered the removal of excess paved area within 90 days, finding the change inconsistent with the Unified Development Ordinance.

City staff told the commission that the property’s driveway was approved in 2022 at 10 feet wide but that staff discovered in 2025 the owner had widened the area into a front-yard parking pad without further approval. Staff said the city’s UDO limits allowable paved width for driveways to 12 feet measured parallel to the front lot line and that staff historically denies front-yard parking pads unless they are behind the front corner of the house.

In its presentation staff cited multiple prior DDRC denials of front-yard parking pads (examples from 2017, 2019 and 2023) and recommended denial of the current request under UDO section 17-2.5 g 6 e, recommending removal of the excess parking area within 90 days. The staff report noted the site’s existing garage area behind the house and described alternatives, including moving a pad behind the house or installing landscaping to create a safe route from on-street parking.

Commissioners discussed fairness and precedent. One commissioner, a resident of the neighborhood, said the applicant “knew beforehand” that the work violated rules and warned that allowing the change would set a precedent. The applicant had submitted letters in the packet but did not appear to speak at the hearing.

A motion to deny the unapproved changes and require removal of the nonconforming parking pad within 90 days carried unanimously. The commission recorded the vote as: Commissioner Jayco — yes; Commissioner Gallo — yes; Commissioner Leedecker — yes; Commissioner McKenzie — yes; Commissioner Salibi — yes; Commissioner Shelton — yes.

Staff’s formal recommendation, as read into the record, stated: "Staff finds that the unapproved change to the driveway at 1427 Hagood Avenue is not keeping with section 17-2.5 g 6 e of the UDO and recommends denial. Furthermore, staff recommends the removal of the excess parking area within 90 days." The commission’s order implements that recommendation.