Bexley board approves variance to add third floor at 821 Grandin

The Bexley Board of Zoning and Planning on Oct. 23 approved a variance to allow the addition of a third story at 821 Grandin after staff said the new attic volume would exceed the ordinance limit by roughly 200 cubic feet.

Staff planner Matt Klingler told the board that Bexley's volume test treats a loft as a third story when it equals two-thirds or more of the volume of the story below, and that the proposed attic would total about 6,433.5 cubic feet versus an allowable 6,140 cubic feet. "We calculate a third story, if it has 2 thirds or more of the volume of the story or living space directly below it," Klingler said.

Applicant Taylor Summer told the board she raised the roof as little as possible to provide a habitable space and safe egress while keeping alterations to the front of the house minimal. "I raised it as minimally as possible. I really wanted to impact the front of the house as little as possible," Summer said, describing efforts to confine dormers to the rear and to avoid front-facing dormers.

A neighbor, Natasha Kelly of 830 Grandin Ave., spoke in support, saying she knows the homeowners and that they considered neighborhood fit: "I'm definitely for it. I'm excited to see how this project turns out for them in creating their forever home," Kelly said.

Board members and ARB representatives discussed the rarity of volumetric variances and whether the current code definition yields awkward dormer geometries. Staff noted that the ARB reviewed the design and ultimately placed it on the consent agenda because the board found the massing acceptable. Several members said they would consider recommending code clarifications in the future to simplify volume calculations.

After staff read findings and conclusions recommending approval, the board voted in favor of the variance. The motion to grant the variance was moved by Mister Eshelbrenner and seconded by Mister King; Chairman Schick announced the motion passed by roll call.

The variance allows the applicant to raise the existing attic roof and add the third story as presented; staff recorded the exceedance as approximately 200 cubic feet over the allowable limit.