Board approves porch variance for 1122 Wilson Avenue

The Zoning and Planning Board of Appeals approved a variance request for a front porch at 1122 Wilson Avenue submitted by David Prochaska, allowing an attached porch that exceeds the 25‑square‑foot threshold used to distinguish a landing from a porch.

John, the city staff planner, told the board the block’s average front setback is about 24 feet and that the proposed uncovered porch would extend roughly 4 feet 2 inches past the existing principal structure, creating a porch area of about 30.2 square feet — above the staff interpretation of the 25‑square‑foot landing cutoff. “The current principal structure is set back approximately 24.2 feet from the front setback of Wilson Avenue,” John said in his presentation, noting staff measurements came from aerial GIS averaging.

Applicant David Prochaska testified he removed a larger, rotted porch and wants to reuse existing frost‑wall footings to avoid disturbing an underground water main. “Because it goes to 7 foot 2 inches, I believe, in width and then the 4 in deep,” Prochaska said, explaining why he prefers to reuse the current footing rather than reconfigure the foundation. Board members questioned whether the need was practical or economic but heard that moving existing utilities would be difficult.

After discussion about the ordinance’s intent to preserve a uniform streetscape and whether the request met the variance standards, a board member moved to approve and another seconded; the board carried the motion on voice vote. The board did not identify changes to the approved plan in hearing discussion. Next steps for the applicant are to work with staff on permit details.