Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Setback Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Auburn BZA approves carport setback variances for 1149 Norwood Court
Summary
The Auburn Board of Zoning Adjustment approved variance BZ20250116 to allow a 20x20 carport closer than ordinance minimums after the applicant and staff described easements and lot topography that limit relocation options.
The Auburn Board of Zoning Adjustment on its January 2026 agenda approved BZ20250116, a request to permit two minor setback variances for a proposed carport at 1149 Norwood Court.
City planning staff described two variance requests to Auburn's zoning code: an exception to §5.11.03(e) to allow the carport to sit approximately 8.5 feet from the principal structure instead of the 10-foot minimum, and an exception to §5.11.03(h) to allow an accessory structure to be about 3 feet from the property line instead of the required 5 feet. Staff noted a 10-foot drainage and utility easement along the rear of the lot and told the board that moving the carport straight back could place it in the easement.
Lee Grice, the property owner and applicant, told the board he planned to remove the existing concrete pad that "does infringe on the easement" and said the lot is irregular with easements on three sides and topography constraints that limit options. "It is a minor setback variance as we articulated," Grice said, adding the renovation would reduce overall concrete coverage on the lot by roughly 470 square feet.
Board members asked whether the carport could be repositioned, attached to the house by a breezeway, or cantilevered to improve vehicle turning. Planning staff said pushing the structure back a couple of feet could eliminate the variance requests but warned that such a shift might conflict with the drainage and utility easement.
After public comment and board discussion focusing on hardship created by the easements and lot shape, a member moved to approve BZ20250116. The motion passed by roll-call with four affirmative votes and one dissent. The board approved the variances, allowing the proposed carport to be constructed as presented. The applicant was wished luck on the project and the board moved to the next agenda items.
