Cottonwood Heights — The appeals hearing officer on Jan. 14 authorized a permit for a homeowner to enclose an existing concrete slab and expand the entryway at 3611 East Kings Hill Circle, finding the change a minimal increase in nonconformity and consistent with city code and zoning standards.

Emma, a city planning staff member, told the hearing the existing concrete slab in front of the door measures about 8 feet 10 inches by 4 feet and that the proposed enclosure would add approximately 32 square feet to the entryway. "This expansion will add approximately 32 square feet of space to his entryway," she said, and staff recommended approval because the project would not increase the structure’s footprint or extend further into the street-side setback and would improve safety and energy efficiency.

Applicant Gabriel Glothband spoke in support of the project, saying it will improve livability and energy performance in the older, stick-built home: "Anything I can do is gonna make it better than what it is today," he said.

The hearing officer summarized findings on the record, said he will issue a written opinion that will be incorporated into the record, and verbally authorized the permit while emphasizing that the authorization is "subject to the applicant obtaining all required city permits" and meeting any other city requirements.

City staff told the hearing the addition would raise the top of the new soffit/roof to about 12 feet 8.5 inches from the doorstep, would not change the distance from the top step to the sidewalk, and is located more than 50 feet from the nearby intersection so it should not affect intersection visibility. Staff cited local code provisions (recorded in the staff report as "code 19 88 0 7 0" and "section 19 0 2 0 2 0") and the Cottonwood Heights zoning ordinance in support of the findings that additions to nonconforming buildings may be permitted where they are in harmony with the code’s purposes and do not impose an unreasonable burden on neighboring properties.

The hearing also approved the meeting minutes subject to subsequent review by the recorder and then adjourned.

What happens next: the hearing officer’s written opinion will be provided to the city and the applicant in the coming days and the applicant must obtain standard city building permits and inspections before construction begins.