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Variance approved for corner-lot house at 2500 S. Atlantic Ave despite neighbor objections
Summary
The planning board approved V-24-24, permitting a new house to sit 10 feet from the secondary front property line on a corner lot (where 15 feet is required). The vote was 5-2; staff said the proposed layout would improve driveway safety and reduce existing encroachment.
The Planning & Zoning Board approved a variance Jan. 6 allowing a new house at 2500 South Atlantic Avenue to encroach into the secondary front-yard setback on a corner lot.
Staff presented the site and said the proposed replacement house would be set further from one property line and would create a 20-foot driveway where now cars park in the right-of-way. The applicant, Brett Lauf, said the design would make the home accessible (master suite and key living spaces on the ground floor) and reduce runoff by reworking the existing condition.
Neighbors objected that the lot is a preexisting nonconforming parcel and urged adherence to setback rules; one commenter warned that granting variances on nonconformities undermines code consistency. Staff acknowledged those concerns and said it had not fully completed detailed impervious-surface calculations but highlighted that the proposed replacement would improve certain conditions compared with the existing structure.
After discussion, a motion to approve V-24-24 carried 5-2. Staff said the applicant must still complete building-permit review; staff also noted that a formal rezoning (to an R-4 or similar district) could address some of the lot-width constraints but would be a separate process.
Next steps: The applicant will proceed with building plans and permit review; staff will verify impervious coverage and drainage during the building-department review.
