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Planning commission approves 5-foot setback variance for Moore Drive storage addition
Summary
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Planning Commission approved a variance allowing a 160-square-foot storage addition to encroach 5 feet into a required 15-foot side-yard setback at 65 Moore Drive, with staff’s finding amended to reflect the accessory structure’s value exceeds $10,000.
Ketchikan — The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Planning Commission approved a major-variance request to allow a 160-square-foot storage addition to encroach 5 feet into the 15-foot side-yard setback at 65 Moore Drive.
Planning staff told commissioners the addition is intended to adjoin existing living space in a single-story, aging-in-place house sited on the buildable corner of the lot. Staff said topography and the existing building’s footprint constrained the location and that all structures on the property are currently permitted. The staff report recommended approval but identified an error in one finding and proposed an amendment to clarify the accessory structure’s value.
The variance was described in staff materials as a 5-foot encroachment into the required 15-foot setback; staff recommended adding a half-foot margin to accommodate construction tolerance. Staff also recommended amending finding D in resolution 4475A to state that the value of the detached accessory garage exceeds $10,000 (rather than the incorrect phrasing in the original draft).
Commissioners moved first to adopt the resolution and then to amend finding D to read that the alternative location “would require demolishing exterior walls of a detached accessory garage, the value of which exceeds $10,000.” The amendment was offered from the dais and seconded. On a roll-call vote the amendment passed and the amended resolution was then approved. The record shows affirmative votes from Commissioners Medford, Arnold, DeSpenza and Martin; the motion carried.
Planning staff closed the public hearing after taking brief applicant comments; the applicants told the commission the addition would relieve a practical constraint caused by the lot and neighboring encroachments. The commission’s actions amended the staff finding as requested and approved the requested variance under resolution 4475A.
The commission thanked the applicants and closed the item. No further conditions were read into the record beyond the amended finding.
