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Members approve small variance so Ballard Avenue homeowner can add storage building
Summary
At a local planning meeting, members approved a 2.4% variance allowing an accessory structure at 305 Ballard Avenue after hearing staff analysis and brief remarks from a representative for homeowner Mabel Jones; approval was recorded with an aye vote and noted as subject to any relevant permitting.
Members at the meeting approved a variance allowing a Ballard Avenue homeowner to add a larger accessory structure to a residential lot.
Planning staff introduced the request as Case 1: homeowner Mabel Jones sought permission to install a 12-by-32-foot accessory building at 305 Ballard Avenue. Staff said the property currently has a 10-by-20-foot accessory structure and an attached, open carport of about 25 by 28 feet that the city counts as accessory area under its current rules. Under the ordinance staff cited, accessory structures may occupy up to 40% of a lot; the new building would raise coverage to about 42.4 percent, roughly 2.4 percentage points over the limit.
Staff recommended approval, saying the roughly 2.4% exceedance was unlikely to affect neighboring properties and noting the city is beginning a comprehensive zoning-ordinance rewrite that will reexamine how accessory structures and attached carports are counted. A board member asked whether the city contacts vendors who sell prefabricated structures to inform buyers about permitting; staff said outreach happens locally but many buyers now purchase units online.
Laura Doolittle spoke for homeowner Mabel Jones, saying the residents have lived in the neighborhood for about 30 years, recently completed remodeling and needed storage space. "We have been living here in this area for, like, 30 some years," Doolittle said, adding that neighbors already have similar backyard structures.
A board member moved to approve the variance as requested; the motion was seconded and an aye vote was recorded. The chair announced the motion carried. Staff noted standard permitting and any other applicable requirements would still apply.
The meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.
