Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Secondary Dwelling Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission tables Schaeffer Construction variance request for interior conversion to May 27 for revised findings
Summary
Ada County staff recommended denial of Schaeffer Construction’s variance to expand a detached secondary dwelling beyond the 1,200 sq. ft. limit; the hearing body tabled the matter to May 27 to allow revised findings of fact to be prepared indicating approval conditions.
Ada County planning staff recommended denial of project 202500533-AC-V — a variance request to allow a detached secondary dwelling to exceed the 1,200-square-foot living-space limit — but the hearing body voted to table the item to May 27 to allow preparation of revised findings of fact.
Staff reported that the detached secondary dwelling, on a 5.33-acre parcel at 337 East King Road, was built in 2024–25 and that interior walls were later added converting part of a shop into additional living area. That conversion increased living space to 1,472 square feet, exceeding the 1,200-square-foot code limit. Staff told the hearing, “Staff finds that the application does not meet County code and recommends denial to the board,” explaining the proposal did not meet the first two variance findings (it would grant a special privilege and did not relieve a hardship tied to site characteristics). Central District Health, the building official and other agencies provided no objections to the use, but staff nonetheless recommended denial.
Property owner Suzanne Dedon said the extra rooms were intended to provide space for her parents; she said the footprint would not change and that neighbors had been notified. Builder Lance Schaeffer acknowledged the interior changes and said, “My negligence wasn't wasn't intentional... I didn't realize that that was I should have checked on that.”
A commissioner moved to table the application to May 27, 2025, for “revised findings of fact indicating approval of the variance so that it meets the 3 conditions for approval.” The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The record will be updated and the item returned to the hearing on May 27.
