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La Porte resident Lloyd Anderson granted variance for 16-by-28-foot carport at 108 Grove Street
Summary
On July 14 a La Porte hearing approved a variance allowing resident Lloyd Anderson to add a 16-by-28-foot carport that expands the property’s accessory building area to 1,480 square feet at 108 Grove Street; city staff had recommended approval based on comparables and practical-difficulty findings.
On July 14, a La Porte hearing approved a variance (petition 26-07) allowing resident Lloyd Anderson to build a 16-by-28-foot carport at 108 Grove Street that increases the property’s accessory building area to 1,480 square feet.
David, city staff, told the board that the property is now one consolidated parcel of about 0.35 acres in an R-1D single-family residential zone and that the petitioner is asking to exceed the jurisdiction’s accessory-building maximum (721 square feet) to accommodate the carport. David said nearby properties have accessory structures ranging from roughly 120 to 1,500 square feet and outlined three decision criteria the board must consider: impacts to public health and welfare, effects on adjacent property values and uses, and whether strict application of the ordinance would cause practical difficulties.
"So staff recommends approval of variance of development standards petition 26 dash 0 7, and I'll be glad to answer your questions," David said. The applicant, Lloyd Anderson, described the structure as "just a steel temporary carport. It sits on top of the ground," and told the board he wanted covered storage "to kinda take care of" an old truck and to store woodworking materials.
Board members asked about compatibility with neighboring properties and heard that the site previously held multiunit apartment buildings before the current single-family residence was established. A committee member moved to approve the variance and another member seconded. During the recorded vote, two "Aye" responses were given and the chair declared the motion passed.
The board approved petition 26-07 to allow the expanded accessory building area and the 16-by-28-foot carport. After the vote, Anderson thanked the board, and the meeting moved on to remaining agenda items before adjourning.
The record shows staff based its recommendation on comparables in the immediate vicinity, the three statutory decision criteria referenced at the hearing, and an assessment that strict enforcement of the 721-square-foot limit would create practical difficulties for the property’s intended personal-storage use. No site review was required for this request.
