Zoning board OKs carport variance

BELLA VISTA — The Board of Zoning Adjustments unanimously approved variances for a carport in the building setback on Little Drive and to cover the deck in the building setback on Gore Lane during its June 16 meeting.

Commissioner John McBee was absent.

The applicant for the carport-related variance, Kenneth Eden, said he was hired by the homeowners to construct a new carport.

The home originally had a carport, but it was in rough shape and removed after the current owners purchased the property, he said.

The Architectural Control Committee has taken legal action and requires a carport attached to the home.

“We are asking that we get a variance to build a 14x22foot carport in front of the house,” he said.

Senior planner Derek Linn said the R-1 residential property received a stop-work order for starting on a carport without a city permit last year.

Staff recommended approval, though also noted a 12-foot carport wouldn’t eat into the property easement and would be usable by most vehicles.

It’s also worth noting the proposed carport uses the existing driveway’s footprint and fits better with the building’s existing facade, he added.

Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the variance after commission vice-chairman Chuck Whittenberg motioned to approve the request on the basis it isn’t injurious to the neighborhood.

The second variance request, to cover a deck on Gore Lane, would require an eight-foot rear setback compared to the typically required 15 feet, associate planner Taylor Robertson said — but the development would simply be adding onto an deck that already pushes into the easement.

“Basically they want to make improvements to the existing deck,” she said.

Because the house sits on land higher than the street and visibility of the home’s rear is limited, there’s a great deal of privacy on the property, she added.