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Long Beach board approves 9-foot setback variance to rebuild deck at 3007 Northmore Trail
Summary
The Long Beach Board of Zoning Appeals granted Thomas and Elena Bohak a variance to rebuild a deck in its original footprint within the 10-foot side setback, permitting a 9-foot encroachment; neighbors' support letters were entered into the record and the board directed staff to prepare materials for the Building Commission.
The Long Beach Board of Zoning Appeals voted to grant a variance allowing residents Thomas and Elena Bohak to rebuild a deck at 3007 Northmore Trail in its original footprint, authorizing a 9-foot encroachment into the 10-foot side setback.
The petitioners told the board the house is a John Lloyd Wright design and that restoring the deck is necessary both to preserve the original architecture and to address a safety issue created by a second-floor exterior door that opens to nothing. "This is a John Lloyd Wright home," the petitioners said, and they told the board the reconstruction would not reduce light or views for neighbors.
The board opened the hearing after staff confirmed the preliminary hearing on the matter had begun Jan. 21. Staff read several letters from neighbors into the record in support of the Bohaks’ request, and no letters in opposition were reported. A Zoom participant said she had submitted a letter and supported rebuilding the original deck, noting an agreement before the property's closing to rebuild that feature.
Board counsel clarified a procedural point before deliberations: the petitioners had cited five criteria (appropriate for a use variance), but counsel said the standard development variance requires three criteria and that the Bohaks’ materials addressed the applicable standards. Counsel advised the board to specify the permitted encroachment so the petitioners would not face issues later at the Building Commission.
After discussion, a member moved to approve the petition. Counsel and the board settled on a named encroachment of 9 feet into the side setback; the board approved the motion by voice vote and the chair declared the variance granted. The record shows the board voted in favor with no recorded roll-call breakdown read aloud; one member, Bob LeMay, was absent.
The board directed staff to prepare the written decision for the Bohaks to present to the Building Commission. Counsel and staff noted timing constraints: the Building Commission was scheduled for the coming Friday, and because of submittal timing the Bohaks may need to appear at the following month's meeting unless a special meeting is arranged. Staff said they would provide the Bohaks a copy of the board's decision that night.
The meeting concluded with routine business and adjournment.
What's next: The Bohaks are responsible for filing the board's decision and other required materials with the Building Commission; the case may appear at the next available Building Commission meeting if a special meeting is not arranged.
