Lakewood Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - August 20, 2026
Lakewood Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - August 20, 2026
The Lakewood Board of Zoning Appeals met on August 20, 2026, at 11:45 AM. The board considered two docket items: deferral of a Lake Road case and a variance request for 2168 Lincoln Avenue. The meeting included roll call, approval of previous minutes, opening remarks, public comment, and board deliberations.
Consent Calendar
- Mr. Santiago was excused from the meeting by a unanimous vote.
- The minutes of the June 18, 2026 meeting were approved as presented (4-0 vote).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Charles Spence, owner of 14426 Garfield (property to the rear of the applicant), stated he had absolutely no objections to the proposed additions at 2168 Lincoln Avenue.
Discussion Items
- Docket 08-12-26-2168 Lincoln Avenue – John Rowley, owner of the duplex at 2168/2170 Lincoln Avenue, presented two variance requests:
- Rear setback variance (10%) – to construct a 10-foot by 18-foot addition (playroom and closets) off the rear of the second floor.
- Uncovered second-floor porch – to replace a previously removed 4x6 porch with an uncovered deck off the rear bedroom, citing cost savings (roof cover estimate $15,000–20,000).
- Administrative comments from Ms. Ellis indicated the first variance (setback) could have been approved administratively as a minor area variance, and the uncovered porch has been permitted in the past without negative effects. The reason the full request came to the board was the uncovered nature of the porch; a covered porch would have been administratively approved.
- Board members discussed the zoning code's treatment of uncovered roof structures and noted that a city zoning refresh is underway to create clearer parameters for such features. The board found the request met the practical difficulty test, noting the small backyard and that the uncovered porch would improve usable space.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to approve the variances as proposed by the applicant (2168 Lincoln Avenue) passed unanimously (4-0).
- Docket 08-11-26-17852 Lake Road was deferred to a future meeting by a unanimous vote (4-0).
- The meeting was adjourned by a unanimous voice vote.
Meeting Transcript
Hello everyone. Welcome to the August 20th meeting of the City of Lakewood Board of Zoning Appeals. The first item on the docket tonight is to uh call the roll. Ms. Zellas, would you please call the roll? Here. Here. Yeah. I'll make a motion to excuse Mr. Santiago. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. And then the second item on the agenda is to approve the minutes of the June 18th, 2026 meeting. Has everyone on the board had a chance to review those minutes and if there are not any comments for discussion, then would someone like to make a motion to approve the June 18th, 2026 meeting minutes? I'll make a motion to go ahead. Oh, and I have I have those in front of me. It just has it doesn't list anyone as chair or it just has members present and has me as absent. Correct. Would you um so we had a motion and a second? So Ms. Ellis, would you please call the roll? Mr. Bickett. Uh yes. Ms. Bellino, yes. Ms. Hare. Mr. Margling. Uh the minutes from the June 18th meeting are approved. Thank you. Uh Ms. Zealus, the third item on the agenda is the opening marks. Would you please uh read the read your opening remarks? Welcome to the Board of Zoning Appeals. For 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 addenda statements, maps, diagrams, sketches, letters, photographs, or other materials proffered 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. And docket number 08-11-2617852 Lake Road. So that will we will not be doing anything with that tonight. So we can move on to item number five on the agenda, which is docket number 08-12-26, 2168 Lincoln Avenue, uh, with the applicant or uh whoever is representing the applicant. Uh please uh step to the podium and sign state your name, sign in, and you can begin with your presentation to the board. Can you hear me? Oh, okay.
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