Highland Park ZBA approves front-yard setback variance for 3504 Dato Ave addition

The Highland Park Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously April 16 to grant a variance that allows an addition at 3504 Dato Ave to encroach roughly 10.98 feet into the 40-foot front-yard setback.

Patrick, a city staff member, told the board the single-story addition is adjacent to an existing garage on a corner lot in the R-5 district and that the existing home, built in 1955, is already legally nonconforming along Dato Ave. He said forestry reviewed the planned tree removals and that staff received no additional public or city-staff objections.

Applicant John Barazi told the board the addition is intended to make the house a single-level, accessible home for aging residents, moving laundry from the basement and adding a two-car garage. “We aren't renting it. We're not converting it to an Airbnb,” Barazi said, adding the work is to make the house more livable rather than a flip. He also said the addition would keep the same form and proportions as the existing house and would remain within floor‑area and height limits.

Several board members said the application met the Chapter 150 standards of approval because the addition stays in line with the existing nonconformity, does not infringe side-yard setbacks, and does not harm public welfare. Member Weisberg moved to approve the application; the motion passed on a roll-call vote in which all members present voted yes.

The board’s approval allows the applicant to proceed consistent with the plans submitted to the board and reviewed by staff. The variance is effective immediately as approved; the board did not attach additional conditions beyond encouraging code-compliant construction and complying with forestry findings.