Board denies variance for enlarged front deck at 508 North Lincoln

The Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals voted May 28 to deny a variance request that would have allowed an enlarged front deck at 508 North Lincoln to remain where it extends into the required front building setback.

Staff presented the case as a straightforward violation: a deck installed without appropriate permits exceeds the allowed encroachment beyond a previously existing stoop and does not meet the Unified Development Ordinance’s setback or variance criteria. The petitioner, Tina S., told the board she preferred to keep the enlarged deck but said she would restore the prior, smaller porch if the variance was denied.

Neighborhood opposition figured heavily in the discussion. James Ford, who identified himself as a High Point neighborhood resident, told the board the structure ‘‘is comical. It is a caricature’’ and said it attracts activity that is not compatible with the residential block. City staff showed aerial and block-face images intended to demonstrate that the current deck and its extension are out of character with adjacent properties.

Board members debated whether limited relief — such as a narrow variance to allow only a small extension — would be appropriate, but staff said it had not made the findings necessary to support such relief. After deliberation, a motion to adopt the staff findings and deny the variance carried on a roll-call vote.

The denial preserves the UDO’s normal setback standards and leaves the petitioner with options that include restoring the previous porch dimensions or pursuing an alternative application with more detailed findings and plans. No fines or enforcement schedule were detailed on the record; staff said enforcement and any remediation would follow existing UDO enforcement procedures if compliance is not achieved.

The BZA’s vote was recorded as: Burrell — yes; Fernandez — yes; Keno — yes. The petition was denied.