West Falls Zone Board of Appeals approves area variance for home addition at 15 Gauge

At its March 23, 2026 meeting, the West Falls Zone Board of Appeals voted to approve area variance AB26-00001 for the property commonly referred to as 15 Gauge, permitting a 12-foot-by-26-foot addition that would result in a 17.1-foot front-yard setback and side setbacks of 10.6 feet and 14.5 feet and that would exceed the municipality’s maximum lot-coverage threshold under City zoning code chapter 220-13 H1 and 220-13G.

The applicant, who identified a local address to the board, said the addition is intended to provide an extra bedroom and bathroom for a growing household. "I'm asking for 12 ft by 26 ft," the applicant said, adding the expansion would accommodate family members who frequently live with the household.

Board members reviewed the standard variance criteria: whether the change would produce an undesirable alteration to neighborhood character, whether the benefits sought by the applicant could be achieved by other feasible means, whether the variance requested was substantial, whether it would adversely affect physical or environmental conditions in the district, and whether the difficulty prompting the request was self-created. The board concluded the proposal would blend with nearby development, the variance was not substantial, it would not have an adverse environmental or physical effect as presented, and the difficulty was not self-created.

Following that deliberation a motion to approve AB26-00001 was made and seconded and the board approved the variance. The board advised the applicant to follow up with planning staff about permitting and next steps; staff noted the planning department is now located in city hall.

The code citations referenced at the hearing were City zoning code chapter 220-13 H1 and 220-13G. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the minutes should list vote specifics when they are filed.