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Request by Joel Agacki, Striegel-Agacki Studio, for setback and lot coverage variances at 6831 Aetna Ct.
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Submitted by:
Art Piñon
Department:
Development/Planning
A. Background
The applicant is requesting two (2) side yard setback variances and one (1) lot coverage variance to accommodate an addition to an existing single-family residence located at 6831 Aetna Court in the Neighborhood Residential (NR) zoning district.
The subject property is currently developed with a single-family residence and attached garage. The proposed improvements include expansion to the attached garage along the eastern property line to provide additional storage space, and improvements to the existing family room at the western portion of the residence.
Currently the existing attached garage does not meet the required side-yard setback along the eastern property line. The NR zoning district requires a minimum side-yard setback of three (3) feet, while the existing garage is located approximately 0.9 feet from the eastern property line and is considered legal-nonconforming. The proposed garage expansion will follow the existing established wall of the garage and, therefore, will maintain the existing nonconforming setback along the eastern property line.
The existing residence also does not meet the required setback along the western property line. City Code requires a combined side-yard setback of nine (9) feet, with a minimum setback of three (3) feet on the eastern side of the property. As a result, a six (6)-foot setback is required along the western property line. The existing residence is located approximately 2.8 feet from the western property line and is considered legally nonconforming.
The requested variances are summarized as follows:
Variance 1 - Side Yard Setback for Attached Garage (East Property Line)
• Minimum Permitted: 3 Feet
• Proposed: 1.1 Feet
Variance 2 - Side Yard Setback Combined (east and West Property Lines Combined)
• Minimum Permitted: 9 Feet
• Proposed: 3.7 Feet
Variance 3 - Lot Coverage
• Maximum Permitted: 37%
• Proposed: 40.5%
Attached to this report are the applicant’s written responses addressing the four variance findings required pursuant to WMC 24.16.060.H, as well as the associated project plans.
B. Recommendation
The standard four criteria should be applied to make the determination for the requested variances:
1. Exceptional circumstances do exist pertaining to this lot.
2. That a variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of the property rights possessed by other properties in the district and vicinity.
3. That the variance will not create special detriment to adjacent property and will not materially impair or be contrary to the purpose and spirit of this or to the public interests.
4. That the difficulty or hardship was not created by the property owner.