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Upper Arlington board delays decision on 2721 Kent Road porch variance after coverage concerns
Summary
The Board of Zoning and Planning postponed consideration of a variance for a wraparound porch at 2721 Kent Road to Nov. 5 after staff raised stormwater, precedent and development‑coverage concerns; the applicant agreed to eliminate the side porch and submit revised drawings.
The Upper Arlington Board of Zoning and Planning on Oct. 15 postponed action on a variance that would allow a wraparound porch at 2721 Kent Road, after staff said the proposal would raise building and development coverage above the city’s typical limits.
Staff told the board the project would raise building coverage from about 29% to 34.6% and development coverage from about 50% to about 57.6%, increasing the lot coverage by several hundred square feet. The planner said those increases prompted concerns about stormwater management, aesthetics and precedent for future requests and recommended the applicant consider reducing the porch depth from 11 feet to about 8 feet, citing a third‑party architect’s suggestion.
Applicants Emily Yoko and Brenda Parker, sworn before speaking, said the wraparound porch improves circulation and street engagement on the small, pie‑shaped lot. Emily Yoko said, “I think the most important thing to us is really functionality,” and said the 11‑foot depth was chosen based on a porch example the applicants visited. They told the board they would prioritize the front porch and, if necessary, eliminate the side portion.
Board members said they value front porches for neighborhood character but expressed hesitation about the size as proposed and the possibility of setting a difficult precedent for development coverage. Staff and the applicants discussed alternative designs and requested the applicants return with revised drawings showing either a reduced depth or removal of the side porch.
The chair then entertained a motion to postpone the variance application (47‑25) for 2721 Kent Road to the Nov. 5 Board of Zoning and Planning work session. The motion was seconded and carried.
Next steps: the applicants will submit revised drawings (the applicant said they would eliminate the side porch and provide new plans) for staff and board review at or before the Nov. 5 work session.
