Planner recommends amnesty relief for Reed Acres garage; determination to be issued administratively

Borough staff recommended amnesty relief on Jan. 7, 2026 for an existing detached garage at 1785 Inyakook Avenue after reviewing zoning records and setback criteria; the hearing officer said the department will issue a written determination within 15 days.

Planner Sarah Bingham told the hearing that the garage encroaches to approximately 7.2 feet from the north front lot line in a multifamily residential zone where a 20‑foot front setback is required. Bingham said the structure appears in assessing department imagery dating from 1982 and noted there has been no clear change to the structure in later images. Because the structure does not qualify as legally nonconforming and the setback violation is roughly 64% of the required setback (below the 75% threshold), staff concluded the application meets all five amnesty‑relief criteria and recommended amnesty relief.

Bingham described amnesty relief as an acknowledgement by the borough that, while the structure does not meet zoning standards, it may remain for future owners and lenders provided the code violation does not worsen and the structure is not substantially rebuilt (if 50% or more damaged, amnesty would not apply). She also said staff had not received code complaints from adjacent property owners after outreach.

No applicant or members of the public signed up to testify at the hearing. The hearing officer said the department will issue an administrative decision by mail within 15 days; that determination may be appealed to the planning commission by filing a notice of appeal and paying the appeal fee to the borough clerk within 15 days of the mailing date.

The amnesty request was filed as item C2AAM2026-007 by John Gadeca on behalf of Patricia L. Gadeca; staff contact was Sarah Bingham.