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Homewood BZA denies variance request to bring laundry into 100 Actton Avenue
Summary
The Homewood Board of Zoning Adjustment denied a variance request to move a detached garage laundry into the house at 100 Actton Avenue after a 3–2 vote; the board requires four affirmative votes to grant variances. The applicants were directed to staff for other options.
The Homewood Board of Zoning Adjustment on June 3 denied a variance that would have allowed homeowners at 100 Actton Avenue to move a detached garage laundry into the main house.
Brian Noland, a building contractor representing Craig and Mary Buoyette, told the board the laundry is currently in a freestanding garage addition that sits about 5.7 feet from the property line and that the homeowners are "aging in place," making exterior access to the laundry difficult. Noland described a plan to remove the small garage extension and extend the house six feet to incorporate a new laundry and an enlarged master closet.
The request drew questions from board members about alternatives, interior reconfiguration and drainage. Noland said interior options were impractical because of the house layout and existing water-collection problems near the master addition; he also said the renovation will include full electrical and bathroom work and that the homeowners have lived at the property for more than 20 years.
A motion to approve the variance was made and seconded. The board recorded roll-call votes with three members in favor and two opposed: Mr. Navez (yes), Mr. Gear (yes), Mr. Johnson (no), Miss Hand (no) and Mr. Perl (yes). The board chair had previously explained that a positive vote of at least four members is required to grant a variance. Because the motion failed to reach that threshold, the chair announced that "your request for for variance has been denied" and advised the applicants to contact staff — Emily Millis (listed in the meeting as Emily Harris Miller) — to explore other options.
Board members also discussed construction and roof-line constraints, noting earlier low-quality framing discovered during renovation work and ongoing water issues in the rear roof valley. Noland said, if budget permits, gutters will be added to address some drainage concerns.
The denial leaves the homeowners able to pursue alternate designs or administrative remedies; the chair reminded applicants that appeals of board decisions may be filed in circuit court within 15 days, consistent with the board's procedures.
The board handled the vote as a formal roll call and gave applicants staff contact information to follow up.
