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Theodosopoulos Variance Request - 1314 Parkway Boulevard - Expand a driveway wider than 36 feet within the front yard setback
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Summary:
The applicant is seeking a variance to expand a driveway to a total width of 50.5 feet within the front yard setback. The ordinance allows a maximum width of a driveway to 36 feet within the front yard setback.
Background:
The property is located on a cul-de-sac at the end of Parkway Boulevard. Cul-de-sac's present unique challenges with development as the front yards are generally much narrower than the remainder of the lot. The house is set back 33.5 feet from the front property line.
The existing driveway is 37.5 feet wide and the applicant is proposing to expand the driveway an additional 13 feet to the east. The expansion within the front yard setback would lead to the side of the garage for a 12 foot parking pad. The applicant is proposing to angle the driveway expansion starting near the property line and gaining width as the driveway gets closer to the garage.
Variance Criteria:
1. Due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, and the variance shall not violate the spirit of the ordinance and substantial justice may be achieved as a result of the variance.
Property owners are allowed to have driveways leading to their side or rear yards. In this particular case, there is not adequate room to extend the existing driveway beyond the front yard setback to gain access to the side yard.
2. Unique circumstances apply to the property which do not apply to other properties in the same vicinity or district.
Cul-de-sacs have minimal street frontage at the front property line and do not provide much area for on-street parking.
3. The variance is necessary for the preservation of a property right that is substantially the same as that possessed by other owners of other property in the same district.
The homes in the immediate a...
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