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Board narrows driveway/impervious variance for 716 South High, adds size limits and screening conditions
Summary
The board approved variances for 716 South High Street with amended conditions limiting the front parking pad to 360 sq ft (maximum 20-foot width) and a limit of two parking spaces; neighbors successfully asked to alter landscaping placement and the board required specific square-foot limits instead of strict dimensions.
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved variances allowing a front-yard parking/turnaround at 716 South High Street but altered staff recommendations after public comment and board discussion. Senior planner Jamie Kreindler said the property currently has an estimated 55% impervious coverage (the R2 maximum is 40%), and that the petitioner sought a 30-by-22-foot pad (600–660 sq ft) to create three off-street parking spaces. Staff recommended a 20-by-20-foot maximum (400 sq ft) with six shrubs as screening.
Property owner Carly Swift said the change would improve safety and mobility on a busy High Street corridor: "It just makes it...safer," she said when explaining difficulties turning out onto the street. Neighbors raised visibility and drainage concerns; Leo Pilachowski urged that any required shrubs be planted at least 5 feet inside the property line to avoid blocking sight lines. After discussion the board amended the motion to limit the pad to no more than 360 sq ft (petitioner offered 14-by-26 ft / 364 sq ft) and capped width at 20 feet and parking at two spaces; the motion passed 3–1. The approval includes the recommended landscaping condition but the board removed the shrub requirement as presented so that screening placement can address sight-line safety.
