Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board upholds variance for First Street redevelopment after neighbor objections
Summary
After neighbor testimony about changed plans, mechanical chases and roofline revisions, the Board upheld a variance granted for work at 3660/20 First Street, finding no abuse of discretion by the Zoning Administrator (3-0).
The Board of Appeals on Aug. 20 upheld the Zoning Administrator’s variance approval for a redevelopment project affecting multiple structures at 3660/20 First Street.
Appellants led by attorney Sue Hester and neighbors raised concerns about plan revisions (revision 4), arguing the sponsor altered elevations, added roof decks, and omitted mechanical chases and solar-panel details that materially affect neighboring views and privacy. Architect Arnie Lerner and neighbor speakers urged fuller disclosure of mechanical shafts and solar-panel heights so the community could assess visual impacts.
Project architect Bridget Shank and counsel explained revision 4 removed an upper roof deck, lowered and carried roof lines to reduce view impact, and proposed low-profile solar panels and green-roof areas that do not require variance. Planning staff said the project had undergone neighborhood notification and discretionary review, and that the revisions generally reduced heights and addressed concerns.
Commissioners found the Zoning Administrator did not err or abuse discretion in granting the variance. A motion to uphold the variance carried on a 3-0 roll call.
The variance decision stands; remaining building permits and field details will proceed through normal permitting and inspection channels.
