Arkansas City planners table carport variance for 313 D Avenue, advance draft rule for front-yard carports

Arkansas City planners on a recent meeting tabled a variance request that would reduce a front-yard setback from 25 feet to 5 feet at 313 D Avenue so property owners could build a carport, and discussed a proposed amendment to the city’s residential code that would allow similar carports on lots without alley access.

The public hearing to consider the specific variance was opened after a motion by a member of the body; staff described the property and neighborhood context and said applicants Robert and Judy Jewel requested the variance because they cannot access the rear yard through an alley. "It is basically impossible to put a carport on this property if you don't put it in front," a staff presenter stated during the discussion, explaining the access hardship the applicants described. The commission ultimately voted by voice to table the individual variance to allow time for further review and to give the applicants time to prepare formal plans.

Why…