Bettendorf Board of Adjustment approves variance for accessory garage at 3149 Fieldsite Drive

The Bettendorf City Board of Adjustment on July 10 voted unanimously to grant a dimensional variance allowing construction of a 40-by-40-foot (1,600-square-foot) accessory garage at 3149 Fieldsite Drive that exceeds the city's limits on accessory building size and height.

City staff described the request as two dimensional variances: an increase in the maximum accessory building size beyond the limit tied to the main building's coverage and an increase in allowable height from 15 feet to 19 feet. Alyssa, city staff, told the board the applicants, Thomas and Samantha Conger, said contractors had declined to connect new construction to an existing house built about 1900 and that limited basement access and more vehicles had increased the household's need for enclosed vehicle storage. "The staff recommends the Board of Adjustment recommend approval of the variance for the proposed accessory building at 3149 FieldSite Drive," Alyssa said.

The property is zoned A2 (rural residential) and about 1.27 acres in size. Alyssa walked the board through the math in the staff report: the total lot coverage footprint for the main structure is listed as 1,880 square feet; under the cited code section 11 11 A9 the accessory building allowance is 75% of that footprint (1,410 sq. ft.). After subtracting an existing 24-by-24-foot (576 sq. ft.) garage, 834 square feet of accessory coverage remained under the code as applied by staff. The applicants proposed a 1,600-square-foot garage, creating a shortfall of 766 square feet from the remaining allowed coverage.

Board members heard a summary from Chris, a city staff member, of recent changes in Iowa law that distinguish area/dimensional variances from use variances. Chris said the Iowa Legislature amended Iowa Code chapter 414 to create a different standard for area or dimensional variances: applicants must show "practical difficulties" unique to the property and not self-created, and that granting the variance would not significantly alter the essential character of the neighborhood. Chris described the change as removing the prior "lack of reasonable return" element from the standard applied to dimensional variances.

A representative for the applicants spoke in favor, saying, "We support the request, obviously," and the board noted written correspondence submitted in support. No members of the public spoke in opposition.

After brief board discussion and confirmation there were no outstanding objections, a board member moved to approve the two variances for size and height; a second was acknowledged. With no recorded opposition, the motion carried unanimously and the board adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve dimensional variances allowing an accessory garage at 3149 Fieldsite Drive to be 1,600 sq. ft. (40'x40') and 19 feet in height (maximum allowed 15 ft.; accessory coverage calculation per section 11 11 A9). Outcome: approved unanimously (no opposition recorded).