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Board signals support, tables Rasmussen secondary-dwelling variance to allow staff to revise findings
Summary
Kendall and Holly Rasmussen sought a variance to convert storage into living area in a previously approved secondary dwelling; staff recommended denial because the request exceeded the allowed 1,200-square-foot secondary dwelling limit, but the Board moved to approve and table the matter to Jan. 27 so staff can prepare revised findings.
The Ada County Board on Jan. 15 moved to approve, and then table, application 202402380 (ACV) — a variance and accessory-use approval for a secondary dwelling at 3868 East Zaldia Lane — and directed staff to return with revised findings and conclusions at the Jan. 27 business meeting.
Associate planner Mikaela Owens summarized the request: the Rasmussens had previously received accessory-use approval in 2023 for a detached accessory structure that included roughly 900 square feet of living space. The current request would convert about 615 square feet of approved storage into additional living space, bringing the secondary dwelling’s total living area to about 1,508 square feet. Ada County code allows a secondary dwelling up to 1,200 square feet without a variance; staff concluded the applicants’ conversion therefore required a variance but did not demonstrate the ‘‘undue hardship’’ standard necessary for a variance and recommended denial.
Kendall Rasmussen told commissioners he and his wife built their 5.15-acre property and the carriage house to fit into large-lot character in the area and requested the conversion to add a bedroom and bathroom so that an adult daughter with special needs can live with them. Rasmussen said the conversion would not change the building footprint and that neighbors who live adjacent to the parcel had told him they did not object.
After brief discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the variance and table the application to the Jan. 27 business meeting for staff to prepare revised findings of fact and conclusions of law; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The board instructed staff to incorporate the testimony and the existing site review in the revised findings. The applicant’s presentation and supporting documents will be added to the record.
