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BZA permits residential use at 1203 NW L St., citing long-standing residential history and floodplain constraints
Summary
The Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance to Newton Real Estate Investments to allow residential use at 1203 NW L St.; staff said the property had been used residentially since 1948 but lost legal nonconforming status after being vacant in 2022 and noted the parcel is partially in a floodplain, limiting new construction to remodels.
Richmond — At its Oct. 25 meeting the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing residential use of property at 1203 NW L Street, filed by Newton Real Estate Investments with agent Dustin Shaw.
Shaw told the board he is "just trying to purchase this property" and intends to make it his primary residence. Planning staff reported the lot is zoned institutional but has been used as a single-family residence since 1948; the parcel lost its legal nonconforming residential status after remaining vacant for more than a year in 2022, which prompted the need for a variance. Staff also noted the property is partially in a floodplain and that, because of that designation, new structures are restricted and only remodels of the existing dwelling are permitted.
Staff recommended approval under the UDO (record cites Article 2.23) and said the variance would not be injurious to public health, safety or welfare given the property's long-standing residential character and the absence of objections from consulted city departments and utilities. The staff report listed a lot size of 249,337.44 square feet (about 5.724 acres) in the record and said the property had been considered a legal nonconforming use until the vacancy.
A board member asked whether approval depends on who purchases the property; staff clarified the action is on land use and not on the identity of a future purchaser. A motion to approve, based on the staff report and findings of fact, was made and seconded. The roll-call recorded Jeff Cook, Rob Tidrow, Sayward Salazar and Nathan Sheets voting "aye," and the motion carried.
Next steps: the variance was granted at the hearing; any remodel or permitting will proceed through standard city permitting and floodplain-related restrictions.
