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Council questions zoning code that requires variances for conforming additions to nonconforming homes
Summary
Council member Frances Rogoff asked whether the zoning code should be amended to exempt additions that are themselves fully conforming from the variance requirement for historically nonconforming structures, citing repeated variance requests; staff suggested a clarifying sentence and members agreed to further review.
Council member Frances Rogoff raised recurring concerns that homeowners are frequently required to seek variances for additions to historically nonconforming structures even when the proposed addition "did not increase or extend the nonconformity in any way." She said the practice often forces unnecessary variance requests and suggested the Planning & Zoning Commission review whether the code should be amended to exempt such additions.
Chief Administrator Robert Jamieson suggested a simple clarifying sentence in the relevant zoning code could address the issue. Members discussed potential scenarios for abuse and noted lot coverage maximums would serve as checks on overbuilding. Council agreed the issue touches the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Architectural Board of Review and merits further analysis before formal referral.
