Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-15-07-053 — Barbra Joyner

Request: Variance in the R-3 zoning district to construct a 2-story garage addition 12 ft. from front property line in lieu of 25 ft.

(Note: Second story to be used as a home office. Applicant submitted letters of no objection from surrounding neighbors).

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The applicant is requesting a variance in the R-3 zoning district to construct a 2-story garage addition 12 ft. from front property line in lieu of 25 ft. The second story is to be used as a home office. The applicant submitted letters of no objection from six surrounding neighbors.

Staff noted that due to the age of the area in which the subject property was located, most of the homes were constructed before zoning had been implemented in Orange County. As a result, many of the homes were actually constructed in what is now the front setback. Therefore, placing the garage in the front setback will not look out of character with the area. The garage is a standard sized garage.

The applicant noted that they were in agreement with the staff recommendation and all of the conditions. The BZA asked whether there was a sidewalk across the front of the lot which cars parking in front of the garage may block. Staff noted there were no sidewalks in the entire subdivision, and most people walked in the streets. Also, due to the narrowness of the road pavement, there was ample room for cars parked in front of the garage to avoid blocking the street.

The BZA concluded that the slope in the rear yard made locating the garage there impractical, and that the addition would fit with the character of the neighborhood. The BZA voted unanimously to recommend approval.