Garrett Park council directs approval of variance for 10914 Clermont Avenue addition

The Garrett Park Town Council directed the town attorney to prepare a written decision approving a variance for 10914 Clermont Avenue, which the applicant says will allow a modest addition to a 1923 Chevy bungalow. The council voted unanimously after public comment and member discussion.

Jill Stevens, the applicant, told the council she and her spouse have lived in the home for 16 years and need additional functionality to remain in the house as they age; the planned addition would preserve the home's front elevation and one‑story profile. Volunteer permit reviewer George Martin told the council the proposal preserved the bungalow character, noted 1920s side setbacks were smaller, and observed the proposed addition would not extend farther into the north and south setbacks than the existing structure.

Under the motion approved by the council, the town attorney will prepare a written decision granting 1.3 feet of relief for the north side setback, 2.7 feet of relief for the south side setback, and 4 percentage points of lot coverage relief for the property as a whole. Councilmember Chris Deutsch moved to direct preparation of the decision; Councilmember Gerilee Bennett seconded the motion, and the council voted unanimously. Town Attorney Ron Bolt reminded the applicant that the council's action directs preparation of a written decision and that the variance is not final until that written decision is issued.

Next steps: the Town Attorney will draft the written decision with findings consistent with the council's direction and then issue it through the town's normal administrative process. The council did not identify any additional conditions to be imposed at the meeting.