Board grants condenser variance for Russell Road home with year‑round screening

The Zoning Appeals Board approved a variance for a homeowner at 23928 Russell Road to place two air‑conditioning condensers closer than the 10‑foot side yard. The proposed placement would leave the units about 2 feet 5 inches from the property line, creating a variance of roughly 7 feet 7 inches from the code requirement. The motion included a condition that the condensers be screened year‑round by decorative fencing or vegetation; the board approved the motion on roll call.

The applicant told the board the placement keeps the new unit next to an existing condenser and avoids placing a larger unit directly beneath a triple window. Board members said the placement is consistent with the existing footprint and noted the condensing equipment had previously been installed without a variance; one member moved that the variance be granted for both the preexisting unit and the proposed new unit, with the screening condition. The board’s motion specified the allowed clearance and required year‑round screening "either by decorative fencing or some sort of vegetation or shrubs," language that appeared in the motion as read into the record.