The City of Fort Thomas Board of Adjustment on Monday approved a modified variance that will allow homeowner Nathaniel Johnston to build a front porch and foundation wall at 330 Newman Avenue with the porch set 2 feet from the left property line.

The board opened a public hearing on Case No. 25-1699 and heard a brief overview from staff. "Mr. Johnston is looking at adding a full-width front porch," staff said, and explained the proposed foundation wall is intended to relieve pressure on a front basement wall caused by the house’s hillside site. The plan as drawn showed one corner of the porch about 0.58 feet over the property line, which prompted board questions about construction access and long-term maintenance.

Johnston, the applicant and owner, told the board a structural engineer had provided several options and that the foundation-wall approach was chosen to preserve the finished basement. He said he had spoken with two of three immediate neighbors who gave permission for work but had not yet contacted the third neighbor whose driveway is nearest the proposed porch.

Board members pressed whether footings and excavation would require entering adjacent property and whether the porch could be redesigned to avoid encroachment. Members suggested practical porch depths (6 or 8 feet) and design solutions such as clipping a corner or shifting eaves. Concern centered on the footing, which, as drawn for a 10-foot porch, would place the edge of the footing fractions of an inch from the property line; one member said the board would feel more comfortable allowing "something around 2 feet" from the property line so footings and future access remain on the owner’s land.

A motion was made to grant Johnston’s request with the setback set at 2 feet from the left property line; the board voted unanimously in favor. The Chair told the applicant, "You have your variance for 2 feet from the left property line." Staff advised Johnston to revise his plans, consult his structural engineer about footing details and apply for the required building permits before construction.

The board recorded no opposing votes and no formal conditions beyond the typical permitting and plan-revision steps. The hearing concluded and the board moved on to scheduling and adjournment.

Next steps: the applicant will coordinate final plan revisions with his engineer and submit permit applications to the city; staff will provide procedural guidance as needed.