Homeowner Kimberly Gang granted variance for larger garage at 2541 Blenheim Ave.

Kimberly Gang, homeowner at 2541 Blenheim Ave., won approval Feb. 17 from the Board of Zoning Appeals for a larger garage that exceeds the city's permitted 'Garage, Private' dimensions.

Gang told the board she needed a 30-by-40 pole barn to store a car trailer and that the structure would match her house and be used only for storage. "We just made a drawing of what I plan on storing in this garage and the reason for the size," Gang said. She told the board she had purchased the adjacent lot to accommodate the building and had recently succeeded in removing both parcels from FEMA's flood-zone designation.

City staff presented the zoning standard and variance requirement. Shane Howard, sworn as a presenter for the case, said the city's definition of a private garage permits 24-by-36 construction and that the applicant's proposal exceeds that by 4 feet in width and 6 feet in depth. Board members asked whether deed restrictions or HOA covenants might apply; Howard said any private deed restrictions or HOA rules would be independent of city zoning requirements.

No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the hearing. Holland Hite, Engineering Clerk, confirmed that abutting neighbors were notified by letter. Mike Aeling moved to approve the variance and Jesus Mireles Quezada seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

The board's approval grants the dimensional variance only; Gang and any contractors must still comply with building, site-plan, and other applicable city requirements before construction may begin.