Oldham County denies large side-yard variance request for Brookside Drive addition

The Oldham County Board of Adjustments and Appeals on June 19 denied a request to reduce the side‑yard setback at 8516 Brookside Drive West in Pewee Valley from 15 feet to 5 feet.

Monica Smith, the applicant, said she seeks the variance to build a new attached garage and convert the existing garage into living space as part of a 1,200‑square‑foot remodel that would add two bedrooms and a full bath. "We have several kids and 1 of them is a toddler... We need to be, getting him another bedroom," Smith said after being sworn in.

Sandy, planner I for Oldham County, told the board the lot is zoned R‑1a and measures roughly 0.5 acres. "The required side yard setback is 15 feet. The applicant is requesting 5 feet," Sandy said, describing the requested 10‑foot variance.

Board members raised concerns about the scale of the requested reduction. One member said shrinking a 15‑foot setback down to 5 feet is a "pretty significant amount" and questioned whether the result would be consistent with the neighborhood's character. Members discussed alternatives — a detached garage or a reconfigured plan — and noted that other properties in the area do have detached structures but that the requested allowance would be visible from the street and proportionally large.

After discussion, a board member moved to deny the application for OC25‑015 on the grounds that it would alter the essential character of the surrounding area and allow an unreasonable circumvention of zoning requirements. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The applicant may return with a revised proposal that reduces the requested variance or relocates the garage as a detached structure behind the house.