Ames City Zoning Board Approves Variance for 814 Wilson Avenue With Conditions

The Ames City Zoning Board of Adjustment on Dec. 11 approved a variance for a partially constructed single-family home at 814 Wilson Avenue, granting exceptions to several Single-Family Conservation Overlay standards with conditions meant to reduce the visual prominence of a front-facing garage.

Planner Justin Moore told the board that the permit for the house had been issued in May, but later review and a field check found design elements that did not meet overlay standards and that construction was roughly 70% complete when the deficiencies were identified. Moore said staff found the project met most variance criteria but could not find it satisfied the "spirit of the ordinance," and staff therefore did not recommend approval as submitted. "We were not able to recommend support for a variance due to that standard not being met," Moore said.

Applicant representative GV Albright of Keystone…