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Marple zoning board approves variance for carport that reduces side-yard setback and raises impervious coverage
Summary
The Marple Township Zoning Hearing Board approved a variance allowing a carport to encroach into the side-yard setback and increase impervious coverage to 29.7% at a Lawrence Road property; the applicant acknowledged beginning work without a permit and was told future work must be permitted.
The Marple Township Zoning Hearing Board voted unanimously to approve variances for a carport at a Lawrence Road property, allowing a 6-foot-11-inch encroachment into the required 15-foot side-yard setback and raising impervious coverage to 29.7%.
At the June hearing, the board considered case number 2026-08, read into the record by the chair (S2) as seeking relief from Article 4, Chapter 300, Section 20(a) of the Marple Township code. Christos Christakis (S1), the project’s design professional and a registered professional engineer, presented drawings and said the 12-foot-wide, low-profile carport was intended to improve safety and convenience for the homeowner and to be “kept as small as possible” to limit visual impact. Christakis said the house’s long, narrow layout created a hardship that justified the dimensional relief.
Applicant Pablo Aslanidis (S5) acknowledged he began work on the carport earlier this year before coming to the township. Aslanidis told the board, “My my understanding was if I do the work myself, I don't need a permit.” The zoning officer (S3) said he drove by during construction, explained permitting requirements, and the owner subsequently stopped work and filed the application on direction from township staff.
Board members asked about stormwater management and runoff. Board member AJ (S7) and other members noted the carport had no stormwater features as presented; board members said any stormwater controls and electrical work would still need to be reviewed and permitted as part of the building process. AJ cautioned the applicant to consult the zoning office before further improvements.
Two neighbors submitted letters stating they had no objection to the project; the board admitted those letters into evidence. The board’s motion to approve was made by AJ (S7) and seconded by the chair (S2). The board took a voice vote; the chair said, “Aye,” and the motion carried unanimously. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the hearing transcript.
The hearing record contains inconsistent address readings: when the case was announced the chair read the property as “490 Lawrence Road,” while the motion later recited the address as “4090 Lawrence Road.” The board and record otherwise identified the parcel as located on Lawrence Road in Marple Township; applicants and staff should confirm the official street number with township records when submitting permits.
The board closed the hearing after the vote and noted upcoming hearing dates. The applicant was reminded to secure required permits and to satisfy any stormwater or electrical inspection requirements during the permitting process.
