Dublin board denies garage encroachment request at 6151 Widgeon Court

The Dublin Board of Zoning Appeals on May 28 denied a homeowners’ request for a nonuse-area variance to allow a garage addition to encroach into the side‑yard setback at 6151 Widgeon Court.

Planning staff presented the case and recommended denial, saying the property lacked the special conditions required under variance criterion A even though some criterion B findings could be met. "We found that there are no special conditions applicable to the site," planning staff said, and recommended disapproval. Architect Heidi Bolliard, representing the applicants, said the existing garage is narrow—"20.7 feet wide"—and the modest bump‑out would allow space for bikes, trash bins and a second vehicle. Homeowner Roger Schubach said the addition would keep cars off the street: "This small addition will allow us to push more things off to the side and fit 2 cars into the garage," he told the board.

Board members debated alternatives such as a backyard shed or a paved slab for trash receptacles, and reviewed neighborhood precedent and aerial imagery. The Hawksnest Homeowners Association submitted a May 26 letter opposing the variance, arguing the expansion would "alter the visual look" of Hawksnest and could set a precedent. Staff noted HOA deed restrictions are private agreements the city does not enforce; "the city of Dublin would not regulate any deed restrictions," staff said while reading the letter into the record.

A motion to approve the variance—to allow a garage addition to encroach 3 feet into the side‑yard setback—failed on the roll call. The board recorded a tally of one yes and three no votes, and the request was denied.