Location: 304 N. Lawndale Avenue

ZBA Request: To allow a proposed garage to be 1 foot from the property line.  The minimum side yard requirement in an R-1 district is 5 feet. 

Background: The property is zoned R-1 with frontage of 60 feet and a depth of 189 feet.  The petitioner is requesting to construct a 24’ x 30’ detached garage with placement 1 foot from the side property line.  The property has never had a garage however there is an existing drive on the south side of the house.   

Staff's Observations:

• It appears that the petitioner should be able to receive reasonable return on his property without the addition of a garage as the property was purchased without a garage. 

• There appear to be unique circumstances because the lot is narrow.

• It does not appear that the character of the neighborhood would be altered as many garages and other structures in the neighborhood are closer to property lines than required by code.

Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends denial of the side yard variance request.