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Council grants variance to allow backyard storage shed in historic Spanish-village area
Summary
After staff recommended denial, the council approved a variance for a 288-square-foot storage building at 1222 5th Street, allowing reduced side and rear setbacks to match a 1925 detached garage; motion passed 5–0.
The council on Feb. 24 approved a variance allowing the owner of 1222 5th Street to site a 288-square-foot storage building closer to property lines than current code permits.
Justine Day of Planning and Development Services explained staff’s analysis and the code sections that typically require setbacks for storage buildings over 150 square feet (Land Development Code §125.520(b)). Day told the council that staff could not support the requested reductions because the application did not meet one of the five required variance-review criteria.
Applicant Kenneth Ramsey, who said he and his family moved into the house about a year and a half ago, told the council the proposed wooden structure would match the existing garage line and provide usable backyard space. "I'm requesting 5 and a half feet off of the south line, 7 and a half feet off the rear, which would match the garage," Ramsey said.
Council members questioned the gap between the structures (about 3 feet) and whether the new building could be designed to fit the neighborhood's Spanish-style architecture. Several members said they would support approval if the structure is colored and detailed to blend with the existing character; the motion included concurrence with the applicant's plan and passed unanimously, 5–0.
Staff recorded the approval and said it would follow up at permit review to verify materials, siting, and any conditions the council imposed.
