Lakewood Zoning Appeals Meeting - July 18, 2024
Lakewood Zoning Appeals Meeting - July 18, 2024
The Board of Zoning Appeals held a meeting on July 18, 2024, at 11:45 AM UTC, presiding over two variance requests and one deferral. Four members were present; one absence was excused. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, public comment, deliberation, and votes on both variances.
Consent Calendar
- Motion to excuse the absence of Ms. Gillian Bellino was approved unanimously.
- Minutes from the June 20, 2024 meeting were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- For the first case (1655 Roosevelt Ave), an email from a neighbor across the street was received expressing full support for the construction, stating it is necessary.
- For the second case (150 Robinwood Ave), the applicant submitted a letter signed by five neighbors who reviewed the plans and approved of them.
Discussion Items
- Docket 06-11-2416 – 1655 Roosevelt Avenue (Old Business): The applicant sought to attach an existing detached garage to the primary structure via a breezeway, requiring variances for zero side-yard setback, combined side-yard setback of 3 feet (15 feet required), and primary lot coverage (40% vs. 35% permitted). The board discussed the unique corner lot situation and noted the height variance from a prior request was not under consideration. The board reviewed administrative comments about previous garage variances. No opposition was received from abutting neighbors. A motion to approve all four variances passed 4-0.
- Docket 07-14-2415 – 150 Robinwood Avenue (New Business): The applicant proposed a two-story, one-car garage (12.5 x 24 ft, 312 sq ft footprint) with a calculated mean height of 19 ft 4 in, requiring a height variance of 4 ft 4 in. Discussion centered on the substantial nature of the height variance, the unique grade differences (neighbor’s driveway is about 8-12 inches higher), and the narrow lot limiting horizontal expansion. The board weighed precedent (most prior approvals at 17 ft) versus the small footprint and neighbor support. Three members voted in favor, one opposed, resulting in approval.
- Docket 07-13-2418 – 169 Clifton Road (New Business): This item was deferred to the next meeting without a vote.
Key Outcomes
- Docket 06-11-2416 (1655 Roosevelt Ave): Approved 4-0 (Michael Alexander, Matt Markling, Jeffrey Piggett, Anthony Santiago all in favor).
- Docket 07-14-2415 (150 Robinwood Ave): Approved 3-1 (Michael Alexander, Matt Markling, Anthony Santiago in favor; Jeffrey Piggett opposed).
- Docket 07-13-2418 (169 Clifton Road): Deferred to next meeting.
- Meeting adjourned unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the July 18th, 2024 City of Lakewood zoning appeals meeting. Ms. Nocta, if you could please call the roll. Michael Alexander. Here. Gillian Bellino. Matt Markling? Here. Jeffrey Piggett. Here. Anthony Santiago. Here. Do we need to excuse a motion and a second? Motion. Anyone would like to motion? A motion to excuse the absence of Ms. Gillian Bellino. I'll second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Second item on the docket is the approval of the minutes from June 20th, 2024. If everyone has had an opportunity to review those, uh, if anyone would like to make a motion. I'll motion to approve the minutes. Second? Anyone? Um all in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Thank you very much. Uh item three is the opening remarks. Ms. Nocta, if you could please. Welcome to the Board of Zoning Appeals. For a variance to be granted, the board must get sufficient information from your presentation to determine if your property meets the practical difficulty test. All documents included with an application to the board. And any addendas, statements, maps, diagrams, sketches, letters, photographs, or other materials offered to the board by any person shall be considered by the board prior to rendering its decision on the application. No permits shall be issued unless submitted plans conformed to those approved by the board. If modifications are made to the approved plans, a successive variance request must be filed and approved to account for the modification. For the record, please sign the form on the podium and state your name and address. This serves as an oath or affirmation that you will tell the truth before the board. Thank you, Ms. Nocta. Uh old business item number four on the docket is docket number 06-11-241655 Roosevelt Avenue. If the applicant could uh come to the podium, sign in, state your name in relationship to the property, please. Yeah, if you'd like to go with your presentation, please. Property offered the apple section offering offering. Um to be offered it to her too.
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