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BOZA approves variance for detached garage at 519 Valley View Drive
Summary
The Boulder Board of Zoning Adjustment approved a setback variance allowing a detached garage at 519 Valley View Drive after staff recommended approval citing undue hardship from the lot's through-lot configuration and neighbor support; the board voted 4-0.
The Board of Zoning Adjustment voted to approve a setback variance for a proposed detached one-car garage at 519 Valley View Drive, saying the lot's unusual through-lot configuration creates an undue hardship for accessory structures.
Robbie Wyler, staff liaison to BOZA, told the board staff recommended approval of docket BOZ2026-0001 after evaluating the application against criteria H1 (A ) and H5 (A ). Wyler said the property's rear yard fronts onto Alpine Avenue, which the code treats as a second front yard under BRC 971 and BRC972D, effectively imposing two 55-foot front-yard landscape setbacks and leaving no code-compliant envelope for a permitted accessory building. "Staff is recommending approval of the first variance item on tonight's agenda," Wyler said.
The applicant's presenter, Brad Burch, described the project as a practical response to a lack of on-site EV charging. "He has no way to charge his EV," Burch said, adding that "dragging cables across the sidewalks" was creating a hazard and neighbor complaints. Burch said the garage footprint was sized to accommodate a large electric vehicle and to fit neighborhood character; he also said the property was platted in 1941 and that a plat easement appears to have expired in 1967.
Board members who deliberated agreed the lot's configuration and history supported the variance. Drew Eisenberg said the irregular lot and the setback alignment made the proposed placement "fit well within the neighborhood." Craig Hammond, voting at his first BOZA meeting after being sworn in, said he was persuaded by the lot's conditions and by similar structures on the block. Katie Crane, BOZA vice-chair, cited at least five letters of neighbor support and noted public-safety reasons tied to on-street EV charging as persuasive.
Drew Eisenberg moved to approve BOZ2026-0001 and Katie Crane seconded. The board voted 4-0 in favor (Craig Hammond: in favor; Drew Eisenberg: yes; Sean Haney: aye; Katie Crane: aye). Staff and the applicant will complete post-meeting documentation with the City Clerk.
Why it matters: Under the city code as read by staff, the lot's two frontages create a practical barrier to placing permitted accessory structures; the variance provides a narrowly tailored allowance to install a garage intended to enable safer home EV charging and modest neighborhood-compatible storage.
The board moved on to a second variance request after the vote.
