Zoning board grants setback variance to allow 30-year-old garage to remain

The Anchorage Zoning Board of Examiners and Appeals on Sept. 11 approved a variance allowing an existing detached garage at 24153 Seward Highway to remain 9.6 feet inside the required 25-foot front setback.

Planning staff told the board the garage and attached second-floor living area date to 1989 and that a recent survey, completed during a 2025 sale, unearthed the encroachment. Staff said the parcel's steep slope (31 percent), odd lot shape, a preexisting septic system and Department of Transportation access constraints left no practical alternative location for the structure and that the application met all eight statutory variance criteria. The staff recommendation called for approval subject to conditions 1 and 2 listed on page 5 of the staff report.

Applicant Matthew Baker said he closed on the property July 18, 2025, and that the owners were not proposing any changes to the structure; he asked only for the setback relief so the longstanding garage could remain. No members of the public testified on the item.

Board member Craig Bennett moved to approve the variance, citing the findings in the staff packet; the motion was seconded by Brian Bennett. After board discussion, the chair called the question and announced six affirmative votes and no negative votes. The variance was granted 6-0 and will proceed under the conditions specified in the staff report.

The board's decision protects the existing structure but does not authorize future enlargement beyond what was described in the staff packet. Parties have 30 days from the date of mailing of the decision to file an appeal to superior court.