09-23-2004 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment

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• • Type of Relief Being Sought Grant variance to allow the construction of a 10' x 28' addition on the SW side of existing 25' x 28' gazage with single caz garage door facing directly onto Roscoe. (See building plan isometric)1 Grounds for Request (1) Public safety can be addressed by other measures since road is not a significant thoroughfare and is severely speed limited due ~to length and narrowness. (2) Preserve back yard green space in chazacter with house of this vintage (3) Relieve houses limited storage space. Facts Relevant to Matter (1) Low use/speed road m~.n~*ni~-es risk to public from backing out into street. Alternative safety protection can be used to compensate if deemed necessary (i:e.; mirrors; gazage side windows, warning lights) (2) Waterfront lot and orientation result in unique situation not considered in narrow, . strict ordinance requirements (3) Narrow lot and comer location offers no acceptable alternative driveway location. City proposal to relocate garage doors to SW side of structure would eliminate back yazd green space. However, no acceptable driveway plan has been identified to service this. scenario. (see Figure 1) (4) Significant house storage limitations. (I) The Variance must not be contrary to the public interest LaPorte's waterfront properties are unique in that the "back'yazd" faces the street. Originally platted in the 19~' century, the Roscoe house. sits on 2 of 3, 25' narrow lots, Hence side yards are minimal resulting in the garages being located in the "back yazd". Typically the garages were built close to the street to maximize green space. The streets themselves are narrow and only a~ few blocks long due to the numerous bayous feeding into the bay. Hence the practical speed rate is limited to ~10 mph..Vehicles are typically locals and a few weekend sightseers.. With low speeds and minimal traffic; backing into the street is a low risk to public safety in the base case. However, additional layers of protection can be used,` if desired, including mirrors;`gazage side windows, and industrial warning lights. ' Existing garage contains Utility mom, bathroom and yard tool storage room on southeast side.