Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Homeowner granted modest variances for rear addition at 2424 Beachwood Boulevard
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a 5-foot rear-yard setback variance and a 276.5 sq ft hardscape variance for a rear addition and patio at 2424 Beachwood Boulevard, subject to findings of practical difficulty and a stipulation barring storm drains in the patio.
The Beachwood Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve a homeowner’s request for two modest variances on Jan. 30, allowing a two‑story rear addition and a slightly larger patio at 2424 Beachwood Boulevard.
The applicant, Shlomo Koifman, told the commission he planned to extend living space where an existing patio now sits so the house would be “flush” with a projecting section. City staff recommended approval: the planning report said a 5‑foot rear‑yard variance (per BCO section 11.13.03) and a 276.5‑square‑foot hardscape variance (per BCO section 11.46.03) were warranted by the parcel’s configuration and the applicant’s plan to remove existing patio hardscape and replace it with a new patio behind the addition.
The engineering department (Mr. Cooney) said the proposal was minor but urged a stipulation that no storm drains be installed on the patio so runoff would flow to the backyard rather than the city storm sewer. Mr. Smarrigan (planning staff) explained the three written stipulations in the staff report — findings of practical difficulty required under the code, the two variances with precise dimensions, and the hardscape allowance — and recommended adding a fourth stipulation to honor the city engineer’s request to exclude drains from the patio.
Commissioner Hecht moved to approve P&Z item 2025‑3 with the four stipulations; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Blue Donald and passed unanimously by commissioners present. The approval requires: (1) a finding of practical difficulty under the cited code sections; (2) a rear‑yard building setback of 35 feet in lieu of the code‑required 40 feet (a 5‑foot variance); (3) authorization of 1,841 square feet of hardscaping in lieu of the code permitted 1,564.5 square feet (a 276.5‑sq‑ft variance); and (4) no storm drains in the new patio.
The commission’s action was framed as granting final authority for the variances, subject to the recorded stipulations. The applicant confirmed he understood and accepted the restrictions. No appeals or additional conditions were discussed at the meeting. The commission moved on to the next agenda item after the vote.
