Troy zoning board denies variance for Chestnut Hill home addition after neighbors object

The Troy City Zoning Board of Appeals voted 7-0 to deny a variance request that would have allowed a one-story addition at 4110 Chestnut Hill to sit about 14 feet 4 inches from the rear property line, rather than the 45 feet required by the city's zoning ordinance.

The denial came after city staff described the proposal, the applicant and architect explained the plan and neighborhood residents testified against it. City staff told the board the property is zoned R-1A single-family residential and that the applicant’s site plans and renderings showed the proposed addition; the architect said lot coverage with the addition would be just under 25%.

Board members said the applicant did not prove the request met the five legal standards for a variance. Several members questioned whether the difficulties cited were tied to the land itself or were personal to the owner, and whether less-impactful…