Planning Commission approves setback variance at 422 West Ave E

The Jerome City Planning & Zoning Commission on June 9 approved a variance allowing a reduced west interior side yard setback at 422 West Avenue East so a new addition can line up with the existing house.

City Planner Ida Clark told commissioners the house was moved into the block decades ago under older rules and sits roughly five feet from the interior property line, under the current 7-foot requirement for the R-3 zone. Clark said the applicant wants to match the addition to the existing structure rather than set the new construction back two feet, which staff and the applicant said would complicate the roofline and the home’s appearance. The Fire Department raised no objection, Clark said.

Abriana Dally, testifying on behalf of her father Gilbert Hurtado and identified as a Jerome resident, described the local houses as very small (about 600 square feet) and urged the commission to allow remodeling to make the units livable. "One-bedroom/one-bathroom homes are hard to sell," she said.

Commissioner Paul Johnson moved to approve the variance, finding the relief would not confer a special privilege since many original homes in the block were built to earlier setback standards. Commissioner Jeff Schroeder seconded the motion; the vote was 4–0 in favor (Commissioner Benjamin Reed, Commissioner Jeff Schroeder, Commissioner Shonna Fraser and Commissioner Paul Johnson voting aye, none opposed). The commission attached two conditions: the west interior side setback may be reduced to no less than five feet, and the project must comply with all city, state and federal requirements.

The approval allows GH Properties LLC to proceed with the addition consistent with the existing building alignment. The commission recorded the motion and vote in the meeting minutes.