Zoning board grants Lewis family variance for Oakbrook garage in Union Vale

The Union Vale Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant an area variance for Gary Lewis to build a 28-by-32 detached 1½-car accessory garage at 40 Oakbrook Lane in the RA3 zone, subject to a condition that the temporary shed now sited in front of the proposed garage be removed or relocated to a location that meets setback requirements.

The chair, Jane Smith, framed the decision by reading the board’s five-factor test for area variances, asking members to weigh the benefit to the applicant against potential detriment to neighborhood health, safety and welfare. The applicant said the garage will align with the driveway, match the house’s siding and roof pitch and be visually screened by existing blue spruce; he told the board it will leave “enough room on the house side for a small retaining wall” and that the neighbors whose letters were submitted either supported the plan or had no objection.

Board members discussed runoff, septic locations and the fact that the proposed detached garage would be roughly 20 feet from the principal building. The board agreed that the proposal would not produce an undesirable change to the neighborhood’s character, noting the structure would be tucked behind trees and designed to blend with the house. The board’s motion to grant the variance included the specific condition that the temporary shed blocking the proposed garage footprint be removed or relocated to a site on the property that complies with setback standards.

The decision allows the applicant to proceed with building permit and site work steps that follow a granted variance, subject to the board’s condition. The board recorded the motion and approved it by voice vote.