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Board rejects motion including horseshoe driveway, later approves 112 5th Avenue variances with driveway omitted
Summary
After debate the board first failed to approve a package that included relief for a horseshoe driveway, then adopted a revised motion omitting driveway relief and approved variances for building coverage and setbacks; permeable pavers and meeting district imperviousness requirements were discussed.
The applicants for 112 5th Avenue presented revised plans and numbers for maximum building coverage (proposed 38% vs. 28% allowed), total side yard and rear yard setbacks, and a driveway percentage that rose to 43.8% (exceeding the 25% maximum). Board members expressed concern about approving a broad driveway relief that could set precedent for wide curb cuts.
The board first considered a motion that included the horseshoe driveway relief; that motion failed on a split roll call. After additional discussion the board amended the motion to omit driveway relief (explicitly excluding the horseshoe driveway from the approved plan) and then approved the remaining variances for building coverage and setbacks. The approved motion noted permeable pavers or other means to meet district imperviousness requirements and recorded conditions related to future permit review.
The board recorded the initial failed vote and the subsequent approval without driveway relief; the applicant may proceed on the approved variances but must resubmit any driveway configuration that stays within district requirements.
