Lakewood Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - September 18, 2025

The Lakewood Board of Zoning Appeals met on September 18, 2025, to address one new business item: a variance request for an attached garage at 1070 Rosalie Avenue. The board also approved minutes from the previous meeting and excused absences of two members. After public comment and deliberation, the board voted unanimously to grant the variance.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to excuse the absences of Mr. Santiago and Mr. Alexander from the meeting, passed unanimously.
• Motion to approve the minutes of the August 21st, 2025 meeting, passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Klan (neighbor at 1085 Lydale) expressed appreciation for the applicant's efforts but raised a concern about lot coverage calculations. He noted that if the front porch is included in the definition of principal structure, the applicant might exceed the 35% lot coverage limit and require an additional variance. He requested the board verify the math.
• Sarah Alexander (co‑owner of the property, 1070 Rosalie Avenue) expressed concern about a large tree on the lot line between her property and the applicant’s. She stated that the tree provides the only shade for her backyard and that construction within its drip line could damage the root structure and threaten the tree’s survival. She also questioned whether the attached garage’s size was necessary given that the floor plan was not yet finalized, and noted that her own property, with a similarly narrow driveway, accommodates a two‑car detached garage.

Discussion Items

• Docket 09‑18‑25 – 1070 Rosalie Avenue – Variance request for an attached garage.
  • Applicant Lee Posick (architect) and Michael Alexander (49% owner) presented the proposal. The applicant seeks a variance to place an attached garage less than 10 feet from the side property line (proposed 9‑foot setback), whereas code requires a greater setback for attached garages. The garage is part of a larger plan to create an in‑law suite for aging parents, allowing one‑floor living and covered access to the car without going outside.
  • The Architectural Board of Review (ABR) had rejected a front‑entrance garage and suggested seeking a variance for a rear garage. The applicant stated that a detached garage would require a similar setback variance and would eliminate usable backyard space. The proposed attached garage is approximately 500 square feet (22 ft × 25 ft), which is smaller than the 740 square feet permitted for a detached garage on the same lot.
  • Administrative Comments (by Ms. Nocta): The lot is undersized depth‑wise (103 ft vs. 125 ft required for R2 district). Only one nearby house has a rear setback less than 20 feet, but all have detached garages. The variance request is only for the attached‑garage setback; no height or floor‑area variances are needed.
  • Board members discussed the practical difficulty created by the lot size, the desire to accommodate aging in place, and the fact that the applicant had already worked with the ABR to minimize the variance. The board chair noted the applicant could defer the vote until next month when four members might be present, but the applicant chose to proceed.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve Docket 09‑18‑25 was made by Mr. Pickett and seconded. The roll call vote: Jeffrey Pickett – Aye, Gillian Bellino – Yes, Matt Markling – Aye. The motion passed 3‑0.
• The variance for the attached garage at 1070 Rosalie Avenue is granted as presented.
• The applicant was reminded to verify the lot coverage calculation (including the front porch) with the city; if the calculation shows a lot coverage variance is needed, a separate application must be filed.
• Meeting adjourned after the vote.