A regular meeting of the City of Washington Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Washington District Library, 380 N. Wilmor Road, by Chairman Mike Brownfield.

Present for Roll Call were members Mike Brownfield, Louis Milot, Steve Scott, Lori Weston, Dick Rich and Doug Weston.

Also present was Building & Zoning Supervisor Becky Holmes, City Clerk/ZBA Secretary Carol Moss and the petitioner, Brad Yakle.

Ms. Weston moved and Mr. Rich seconded to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2008 ZBA meeting as presented. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Case No. 032608-V-1 - request of Brad and Jody Yakle, 304 Lawndale, for a side yard variance for the construction of a garage. The public hearing was opened for comment at 6:30 p.m. and B&Z Supervisor Holmes explained that the petitioner is requesting a four foot side yard variance, which will allow the proposed garage to be constructed one foot from the property line. Minimum side yard requirement in R-1 is five foot. The petitioner wants to build a 24' x 30' detached garage. There has never been a garage on the property, but there is an existing drive on the south side of the house.

The public hearing was closed at 6:40 p.m.

Mr. Yakle told the Board members that his garage will be thirty-four inches from his neighbors fence. There will be a 12" soffit and a 4" gutter. There aren't any structures on the opposite side of the fence. He pointed out that there aren't any buildings in the immediate area that are five foot from the property lines. Chairman Brownfield asked Mr. Yakle why he has chosen to place the garage as shown rather than going farther back into the yard. Mr. Yakle replied because there will be symmetry with his neighbors garage and he wants to build a deck so by placing the garage as shown it will allow him to meet the ten foot between structures requirement. Mr. Milot asked if there is any topographical reason that the garage could not be built farther back and Mr. Yakle replied there is not. Mr. Scott asked Mr. Yakle if he is having someone build the garage and Mr. Yakle replied he is. There is a four foot drop to the rear yard so the foundation will be poured walls. Ms. Weston moved and Mr. Rich seconded to approve Case No. 032608-V-1 as requested.

Findings of Fact - application made by owner of real estate located at 304 Lawndale; proper fees were paid; property is zoned R-1; applicant is requesting a side yard variance in order to construct a detached garage one foot from his property line; a public hearing was held on Wednesday, April 9, 2008; proper notice was given; there were no appearance forms filed; there was no audience present; property in question cannot yield a reasonable return because most homes on the street have a garage; plight of the owner is due to unique circumstances because there never has been a garage on the property and the lot is narrow; the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood because most of the homes in the area have garages, and most of the garages are very close to, or on, the property line.

On roll call on the motion to approve the vote was: 
Ayes: 6 Scott, Milot, Doug Weston, Rich, Lori Weston, Brownfield 
Nays: 0 
Motion declared carried.

B&Z Supervisor Holmes asked the board members if they would be able to attend a ZBA meeting on May 14 to hear a building height variance request for the assisted living facility in Saint Clare Crossing. The ZBA would only conduct the public hearing because they do not have authority to authorize the building height variance, so the matter would need to go before the City Council once the public hearing is held. Most agreed they would be able to attend.

There was no additional information to discuss and at 6:43 p.m. Ms. Weston moved and Mr. Rich seconded to adjourn. 
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

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