SR 06:247 - Laserfiche WebLink

sory structures in the Downtown that exceed the 15-foot height limit, thereby creating a distinctive neighborhood character. Staff therefore believes that the District provides a special "locational" circumstance and that this first finding can be made for the height variance. (C) Increase in Floor Area Ratio Similar to the above finding, the site's Downtown location is unique in that few of the City's zoning district regulations fit the development pattern that has occurred from the early 1900s to today in the residential neighborhood. The City has therefore supported higher F ARs in this neighborhood. In addition, the subject lot is substandard in width thereby reducing options for a home's layout and design. This fmding can therefore be made. 2. That the granting of the variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsis- tent with the limitation on other properties classified in the same zoning district; (A) Decrease in Side Yard Setback Many homes, including the subject home, in the Downtown R-1-6500 residential zoning district have nonconforming side yard setbacks of less than the required five-foot mini- mum. The Zoning Administrator has approved several variances to maintain the existing side yard setback for new additions. The finding can therefore be made that the granting of a variance from the side yard setback to maintain an existing nonconforming setback is not a grant of special privilege. (B) Increase in Accessory Structure Height The maximum height of an accessory structure in all residential zoning districts is 15 feet. Staff has approved several over-height accessory structures in the Downtown Revi- talization District. This project is further mitigated by the sloping nature of the lot, where the height ofthe garage at the rear ofthe lot is only 10.2 feet tall. This finding can there- fore be made. (C) Increase in Floor Area Ratio The City has supported several increases in FAR in the Downtown residential neighbor- hoods. This finding can therefore be made. 3. That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity. (Ord. 1520 ~ 5, 1991; prior code ~ 2-11.29(1)). (A) Decrease in Side Yard Setback The right side yard setback of the existing home is 3.85 feet. The applicant proposes to build first- and second-story additions flush with the existing home. The request to reduce the side yard setback can be supported because the existing setback has proven to not be Item 6.b. PADR-1338/PV-131 Page 12 of 14 September 27. 2006