Englewood board approves variances to allow two‑car front garage at 3085 S. Corona St.
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Summary
The Englewood City Board of Adjustment and Appeals approved three variances to allow a two‑car front garage and driveway at 3085 S. Corona St., subject to dimensional conditions (driveway max 18 ft, garage structure max 22 ft, garage door max 16 ft). The decision passed 6–0; permits require a site plan and wait out a 30‑day appeal period.
The Englewood City Board of Adjustment and Appeals on Tuesday approved three variances to allow construction of a two‑car, front‑facing garage and a widened driveway at 3085 S. Corona St., granting the request with four dimensional stipulations after extended discussion about site plans and neighborhood impacts.
Eric Sampson, senior planner with community development, told the board the application seeks three variances: to allow a detached accessory structure in front of the primary building line (Title 16, Chapter 5, Table 5.3), to permit a front‑facing garage entrance (Table 5.4), and to allow a driveway wider than otherwise permitted for an alley‑served lot. Sampson said staff believes the unusual placement of the 1930 house at the rear of the lot creates a unique physical condition that meets variance criteria and that approval would not impair neighboring properties. "The variance request tonight is for the construction of a 2 car garage in front of a primary residence," Sampson said.
Applicants Daniel Raitzman and Natalie Rabida, sworn to testify, said they bought the double lot several years ago and that the house is sited at the back of the property, making a front garage the only practical place for a two‑car structure. "We would like to build the garage in front," Raitzman said, adding the existing 10×10 shed is storage and alley access currently serves a single‑car garage.
Board members pressed the applicants and staff for precise dimensions and a scaled site survey. Several members said the plans provided to the board were not to scale and asked how recent tree removal, existing accessory structures and impervious‑surface calculations would affect a final permit. Staff responded that permit review would require a stormwater runoff report and a verified site plan and that building permits would resolve code and fire‑rating issues.
After debate about whether to delay action until a scaled survey was filed, a board member moved to approve the three variances "for the reasons outlined by staff." The motion was amended to include four conditions: the garage front must align with or be no farther forward than the adjacent house to the north; driveway width across the sidewalk may not exceed 18 feet (north‑south); the garage structure may not exceed 22 feet north‑south; and the combined garage door width may not exceed 16 feet. The amendment was approved and the motion passed on a voice vote, 6–0. Mr. Cole, Ms. Ozzles, Mr. Friesen, Mr. Koenig, Ms. Dickerson (who registered objections but voted yes) and Chair Taylor each announced a yes vote.
Because the board’s rules were read at the hearing, the record includes that five affirmative votes were required to grant the variance; the board achieved six. Staff noted that any approved variance becomes effective only after the 30‑day appeal period ends and that building permits for the work will not be issued until that period has passed and the applicant submits a verified, to‑scale site plan.
The board also announced administrative items: staff mentioned a council study session on March 9 to discuss a short‑term rental waiver, and members briefly discussed possible future changes to meeting start times. The board adjourned after wrapping up agenda business.
What happens next: the applicant must submit permit‑level, to‑scale plans and obtain building permits after the 30‑day appeal window closes; permit review will verify setbacks, stormwater measures and any building/fire‑rating requirements.
