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Board grants variance and approves addition at 532 E. Government; keeps window options and stepped profile
Summary
The board approved a variance reducing the side-yard setback from 5 feet to 3 feet 2 inches for 532 East Government Street and gave final approval to a rear addition that aligns with an existing nonconforming plane; the board discussed allowable side-wall openings and preferred a stepped inset from the main house.
The Architecture Review Board approved a variance on June 26 allowing a reduced side-yard setback at 532 East Government Street and granted final aesthetic approval for a rear addition to the contributing structure.
Homeowner Joan Smith described the project as removing an existing screened porch and building a bedroom addition that will extend 2½ to 3 feet beyond the porch footprint. “When they were divided years ago, the property line is literally, I think, is right where that telephone pole is… I'm looking to a demolition of that and to propose to put a bedroom in that space,” Smith said.
Staff explained that the property previously went through a variance process for the existing screened porch, and the application illustrates that the proposed addition maintains the same reduced side-yard condition while slightly expanding the footprint. “Because this was overlooked, we have to treat it as non contributing… There is a process if you found it to be historically significant to petition city council to designate it as contributing,” ARB staff said earlier in the meeting when discussing a different parcel; for this application staff advised that building code fire‑separation questions will be addressed by permitting staff.
Board members discussed that windows are allowed in walls at a three‑foot separation and noted the applicant’s plans show the addition stepping in from the main house plane. One board member moved to adopt the variance findings as submitted in the applicant’s packet; the motion passed. The board then approved the final aesthetic plans for the 215-square-foot (approx.) addition to the rear as submitted.
