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

Browse Search

• • While safety should be a pazamount public interest, preserving historical chazacter should also be ~an important consideration. In order to conform to current code, the 1700 Roscoe garage door would need to be relocated to the adjacent SW side, resulting in the balance _ _ of the back yazd being paved over as a driveway.2 The back yazd green space would be eliminated and the houses historical chazacter seriously altered. ~ .- (2) Literal ordinance enforcement must result in a hardship 1700 Roscoe was built over 100 yeazs ago: Houses of that period did not have significant storage spaces since material possessions was significantly below today's standards. The Roscoe house has 2300 ft2, but only 5 sma112'x3' closets. The attic joists are only 4", limiting their storage load potential and accessibility (especially if 12" blown insulation is installed). Hence it is proposed to extend the southwest side of.the garage out 10 feet to ease the storage issue. In order to conform to city ordinance, relocating the garage door to the adjacent wall would result in a less eiTicient garage . layout which can only be addressed by enlarging the gazage an additional 5 to 10 feet. (3) ~ Granting variance does not violate~spirit of the ordinances The spirit of the ordinance is~assumed to be public safety. As mentioned previously; . Roscoe Streets limited speeds and use minimize public risk. To compensate, additional safety protective layers can be designed into the structure to compensate if deemed necessary. From a historical perspective, the gazage plans called for a cupola and sheathing in #117 treated wood siding, matching the house. (4) Granting a variance that allows. use prohibited within use zone. Not a concern since the gauge extension is intended for use as a residential gazage and not for business interest: v~ 1~~3~JH ? ~ In order not to violate the " 25 ft from .comer ordinance", this scenario requires the driveway to exit ~ . onto Holmes in a narrow slit.between a utility pole and.a large oak tree on the easement.