Huber Heights BZA approves 22-foot accessory building variance at 5060 Bellevue Court

The Huber Heights Board of Zoning Appeals on April 1 approved a variance for 5060 Bellevue Court that permits an accessory building peak of up to 22 feet to accommodate a personal car lift and additional vehicle storage. City staff had recommended approval, and the board passed the motion by a 3–2 roll-call vote.

City staff member Greg read the staff report, saying the applicant seeks an exception to zoning code section 1,191.01, which limits accessory building height to 14 feet. Greg told the board the parcel is approximately 91 by 130 feet, adjacent property owners were notified and no objections were received, and the engineering department had no concerns. "As a result of the code restrictions on the building height, the property owner requires a variance of 8 foot," Greg said during the report.

Applicant Eric Williams described household needs behind the request, saying the family owns several large vehicles and that the proposed garage would let them remove cars from the street during snowplow and street-sweeper operations. "I'm gonna have a little project car," Williams said, explaining the desire for a lift and extra storage. He told the board the planned garage footprint is 28 by 40 feet—about 1,000 square feet—compared with a 1,200-square-foot house.

Williams and his wife, Stephanie Williams, addressed drainage and construction details. Stephanie Williams said the backyard has flooded for years and the contractor plans to install a French drain and a small retaining wall to direct runoff to the street. "We are going to have the contractor put in a French drain to help collect all that water," she said, adding the work should reduce overflow into neighboring yards.

Board members asked about typical garage heights and whether grading or other work would be needed to achieve the requested clearance. Greg said typical single-car gabled garages are usually 12–13 feet high; the applicant’s contractor advised that a 20-foot peak might be workable with minor grading. The board reviewed the five variance criteria before voting.

The secretary called roll on the final motion: Dean — No; Schaffer — No; Ballard — Yes; Mach — Yes; Newby — Yes. The Chair announced, "The variance has been approved. By a vote of 3 to 2." The Chair advised the applicant to check with the city about any permits required before contractors begin work.

Next steps for the applicant include consulting the engineering department about connecting or discharging the French drain to the city storm system and obtaining any required building permits.