Commission approves variance to allow 39-foot cumulative driveway at 104 North Randolph Avenue

Benjamin Johnson, project planner, presented a planning variance request for 104 North Randolph Avenue, a 0.198-acre property currently zoned commercial that contains a detached dwelling (constructed around 1935) and a garage-apartment duplex. Johnson said the applicant seeks a 9-foot variance from the 30-foot maximum cumulative driveway width typically allowed for residential corner properties; approval would permit a cumulative driveway width of 39 feet (reducing the existing 42-foot apron to 27 feet plus a new 12-foot driveway on 26th Street). "That existing driveway is 42 feet," Johnson said, and staff recommended approval on the basis that the proposal reduces an existing nonconformity.

Johnson described the proposed curb extension and leveling of existing concrete so the apron would be flush with the curb. The staff report noted 13 mailed notifications and no responses. During the public hearing the applicant, Caleb Baker, said he was willing to bring the curb in and comply but asked whether the commission could avoid requiring removal of the entire 42-foot apron because it would be costly. "It's gonna cost a lot of money on my dime," Baker said, adding that his plan was to level and overpour on existing concrete so the finished area would be uniform and not used as extra parking.

Commissioners pressed staff for clarification that the change was intended to reduce nonconformity rather than create additional parking; staff confirmed that the intent was to reduce the nonconformity and that the proposed treatment would be subject to right-of-way permitting. Commissioner (speaker 3) moved to approve planning variance PV26-16 and adopt the written staff report as the commission's findings; the motion passed unanimously. The variance will be recorded in the file and applicable permitting and right-of-way approvals will follow. Exact vote counts were not specified in the transcript.