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Owner proposes side addition for basement access; DRC urges rear or interior alternatives
Summary
An owner seeking an enclosed side stair addition at 109 7th Avenue North was asked to explore rear or interior options and to avoid a highly visible side addition; one option would require a variance because it encroaches the side setback.
Jacob Lane presented two side-addition options to enclose a stair to the basement at 109 7th Avenue North, saying a side addition would minimize invasiveness compared with other configurations. Staff told the DRC that Option A (6'9" by 15') would encroach into the side yard setback and require a variance, while Option B (4'11" by 18'7") meets setback standards.
Commissioners expressed sympathy for the owner's desire for safe interior access — particularly for storm shelter reasons — but repeatedly encouraged the team to explore rear placement, interior hinged-floor access, or other means that would avoid a visible side addition. Commissioner Brian said the property sits in a prominent right-of-way and that a side addition would create an anomaly on the street; another commissioner suggested extending an existing low kitchen roof as a hyphen to conceal access without increasing street visibility.
Staff asked the applicant to analyze alternatives, revisit survey constraints, and produce a submittal showing why rear or interior solutions would be infeasible before the DRC considers a variance or a Certificate of Appropriateness for a side addition.
No final decision was made; the applicant will return with additional exploration of rear and interior options and updated drawings.
