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Board of Adjustment approves accessory dwelling unit and 5% size variance at 4648 Woodland Court
Summary
Bettendorf City Board of Adjustment approved a special use permit and a variance to allow an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) larger than the 800-square-foot limit at 4648 Woodland Court. Staff said the proposal met city standards and a neighboring couple submitted a letter of support.
The Bettendorf City Board of Adjustment on March 13 approved a special use permit and an associated variance to allow an accessory dwelling unit at 4648 Woodland Court.
Staff told the board the lot is in an R-2 single-family district and is large (about 27,600 square feet). The proposed ADU is attached to the principal house by a continuous foundation and roofline, includes a living area, kitchen, bathroom and sleeping quarters, and is described in the application as a “Casita” located at the northwest portion of the build. Staff said the proposal meets the special-use standards in Section 11.15.9(e) of the city code and recommended approval of both the special use permit (case 25009SU) and the variance (case 25010VAR).
The variance request arises because the applicant measured the ADU footprint at 840 square feet while the code limit for an ADU is 800 square feet. Staff explained that differing measuring methods produced different figures: the submitted footprint measurement was 30 by 28 feet (resulting in a quoted 840 square feet), while an interior-floor measurement was about 767 square feet. Staff characterized the requested increase as roughly 5% and said the lot topography and foundation-wall geometry contributed to the discrepancy; staff recommended approval and said the proposal would not negatively affect neighboring properties.
The board received a letter from William Burris and Dixie Burris of 4635 Woodland Court expressing support; no written opposition was reported and no members of the public spoke against the applications at the hearing. After discussion the board voted by roll call: Gallagher — yes; Tombergs — yes; Vermillion — yes. The board approved both the special use permit (case 25009SU) and the variance (case 25010VAR).
The staff presentation noted that the rear of the lot abuts Crow Creek Park and that the ADU design is visually indistinguishable from the primary residence. Staff said the lot includes a large driveway and a four-car garage; the ADU would be connected to the main structure by continuous foundation and roofline. Staff also noted ambiguity in the municipal code’s measurement method for ADU size, and recommended that the interior or wall-square-footage measurement be considered the most accurate. No changes to off-street parking or other conditions were required as part of the approvals.
The board did not place additional conditions on the approvals at the meeting. The board chair closed the public hearing and moved on to the next agenda item.
