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Commission approves specific-use permit for 360 sq. ft. secondary living unit at 1012 Gay Lane
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-2 on Jan. 14 to approve SUP25-9, permitting a 360-square-foot secondary living unit at 1012 Gay Lane for family use; staff said setbacks and lot coverage comply with UDC standards and two letters of opposition were in the record.
The Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 14 approved SUP25-9, a specific-use permit allowing a 360-square-foot secondary living unit at 1012 Gay Lane.
Alex Van Amberg, planner with planning and development services, told commissioners the site is about 0.234 acres and the proposed unit would be 360 square feet with setbacks of 6 feet 6 inches in the rear and 5 feet on the side, compliant with UDC requirements. Van Amberg said the combined primary residence and secondary unit would result in about 21% lot coverage, below the 50% maximum for the zoning district. He also noted the unit is to be used for family, per the UDC, and that staff received two letters of opposition.
Chris Trevino, representing CT 4 Construction and owner Martin Franco, described the secondary dwelling as a modest unit with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette, intended to accommodate a family member. “It really accompanies the primary residents and allows this to be used for family purposes,” Trevino said.
Owner Martin Franco told the commission the unit’s main purpose is to house his aging mother; he said the family expects to use the space for relatives and that the structure would later be used by children if circumstances change. Franco, who said he has lived at the property for nearly a year, told commissioners he relied on the city’s neighbor-notification letters rather than door-to-door outreach.
Commissioner Winkels moved to approve SUP25-9 with staff accommodations, Commissioner Sumter seconded, and the motion passed 7-2. The chair stated the approved permit will be forwarded to city council as required.
Staff and the applicants said the accessory-structure allowance (up to three on lots under one acre) and the UDC’s family-use requirement shaped the proposal and staff recommendation. Two written objections were included in the record, one read into the minutes from the owners at 1009 Ross Trail requesting the neighborhood remain single-family.
The commission’s approval allows the applicant to pursue council approval and begin required permitting steps.
