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Board of Adjustment approves rear-yard setback variance so Slidell homeowner can keep accessible bathroom
Summary
The St. Tammany Parish Board of Adjustment on April 1 approved a variance reducing a rear-yard setback from 25 feet to 19 feet so a 300-square-foot outdoor accessible bathroom addition can remain on a Slidell residence. The applicant provided neighbor letters but not an HOA approval; a building permit is being obtained.
The St. Tammany Parish Board of Adjustment on April 1 approved a variance allowing a Slidell homeowner to keep a 300-square-foot addition that reduces the required rear-yard setback from 25 feet to 19 feet.
The request, filed under agenda item 20254125, would allow an outdoor accessible bathroom attached to an existing single-family residence to remain on site as shown on the submitted site plan. The applicant, Michael Lewis of 880 Crossgate Boulevard, told the board he had collected letters from surrounding neighbors indicating they were agreeable to the reduced setback but said he had not contacted his homeowners association.
The board heard staff findings that the objective of the request was to allow the 300-square-foot addition to remain and noted the addition is attached to the main residence. Lewis said during his presentation, "Today I have birthed some letters from the, neighbors stating that they're okay with it, reducing the setback from 9 from 25 feet to 19 feet." The board confirmed Lewis is in the process of obtaining a building permit.
Board members questioned whether the homeowners association (HOA) had been consulted and whether the addition has interior access. Lewis replied the bathroom has only outside access. Staff answered a board question about zoning compliance by saying that if the structure were not attached it would be considered an accessory building and "it would have to be 10 feet from the rear and 5 from the side." The board discussed whether existing lot dimensions might already place the structure within compliance; one member noted the site plan in the packet suggested the existing element sat at about 20 feet, meaning the applicant's request for 19 feet represented roughly a one-foot difference.
After discussion and several board members expressing concern that the HOA had not been contacted, a motion to approve the variance carried by the board with a tally of 4 yeas and 1 nay. The board recorded no additional conditions beyond the applicant's statement that he is pursuing the required building permit.
The board's action permits the after-the-fact retention of the addition; the applicant must complete the building-permit process required by parish code.
