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Board denies variance request for 100 Actton Avenue; applicant cited accessibility need
Summary
The Homewood Board of Zoning Adjustment denied a variance request for 100 Actton Avenue on June 3, 2026 after a 3–2 vote. The applicant sought a six-foot rear addition to bring a laundry into the house for aging-in-place accessibility; the board requires four affirmative votes to grant a variance.
The Homewood Board of Zoning Adjustment denied a variance request for 100 Actton Avenue on June 3, 2026 after a 3–2 vote.
Brian Noland, a building contractor representing property owners Craig and Mary Boyette, asked the board to allow a six-foot rear addition that would remove a small nonconforming garage extension and bring the laundry and a combined master closet into the primary structure to support the owners’ aging-in-place needs. Noland said the existing garage laundry "the plumbing in there is beyond repair" and described the current garage laundry as cumbersome to reach over multiple steps.
The petitioner told the board the existing house sits about 5.7 feet from the property line at the nonconforming point and that the proposed work would continue the same setback line while converting the garage addition into habitable space. Noland said the proposed addition would be roughly 6 by 14 feet, accommodate a master bathroom and closet space with wider, more accessible doors, and that a neighbor provided a letter stating no objection to the plan.
Board members asked detailed questions about the house’s age and interior work, alternatives considered, and roof and water-collection issues. The contractor said the original house was built around 1954 with an addition soon after, that the master addition’s roof geometry has historically collected water, and that expanding toward other parts of the house would create egress and flow problems. He also said gutters may be added to help drainage if budget allows.
A motion to approve the variance was made and seconded. Voting recorded by the chair was: Mr. Nave — yes; Mr. Gear — yes; Mr. Johnston — no; Miss Hand — no; Mr. Perl — yes. The board requires at least four affirmative votes to grant a variance, so the motion failed and the variance was denied.
The chair directed the applicants to contact staff (Emily Millis/Emily Harris Miller) for follow-up options. No public commenters appeared during the hearing on this item, and the board returned to other business after the decision.
