Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Driveway Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
BZA approves carport and alley‑access variance for Keith Clay with conditions
Summary
The board approved variances allowing a carport and departure from alley access at 729 S. Washington St., citing a historic garage location, topography and visibility constraints; approval includes a condition to remove the existing informal driveway cut.
The Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals approved variances on Nov. 1 allowing Keith Clay to add a carport adjacent to a historic garage at 729 South Washington Street and to not use the improved alley for primary vehicular access.
City staff had recommended denial, saying the Unified Development Ordinance requires new vehicular access be taken from an improved alley when available and that the proposed carport location would create visibility and safety concerns. Senior staff noted a platted alley to the east is used by neighboring properties and that the proposed location would create a drive cut closer than typical code spacing.
Petitioner Keith Clay told the board the existing limestone garage and driveway predate modern code and that the alley is not practically accessible for regular use because of slope, obstructions (including an AT&T vault/pole) and informal prior use by a student‑rental property. Clay said upcoming traffic‑calming on South Washington will remove an on‑street parking space in front of his house and that the carport would provide necessary protected parking.
Board member Mary (Barry) moved to approve the variances with two alternate findings recognizing the historic garage location and the practicality issues created by the grade and existing access; the motion included a condition that the existing informal driveway cut be removed so only one driveway cut remains off Dodds. The motion passed by roll call.
Why it matters: The decision is a context‑driven exception for a longtime existing condition — the board cited the historic garage, a 14‑foot setback from pavement and site constraints — while conditioning approval to avoid adding permanent additional curb cuts to Dodds Street.
