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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-12 UPDATED BOA Agenda PacketIOWA CITY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Wednesday, April 12, 2023 –5:15 PM City Hall, 410 East Washington Street Emma Harvat Hall Agenda: Call to Order Roll Call Appeal Item DAPL23-0002: An appeal submitted by David Moore to overturn a decision of the Building Official to extend Dbuilding permit for a single-family home at 319 N. Van Buren Street: alleging that the proposed building does not meet setback and other requirements of City Code.>PDWHULDOVXSGDWHG$SULO@ Special Exception Item DEXC23-0003: An application submitted by Mark Holtkamp (A Latte Buzzness) requesting special exceptions to allow a drive-through facility associated with an eating establishment and D drive-through facility associated with an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in a Community Commercial (CC-2) zone for property south of N. Dodge Street and west of N. Scott Boulevard. Consideration of Meeting Minutes: March 8, 2023 Board of Adjustment Announcements Adjournment If you need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contact Kirk Lehmann, Urban Planning at 319-356-5247 or at klehmann@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. Upcoming Board of Adjustment Meetings Formal: May 10 / June 14 / July 12 Informal: Scheduled as needed. 1 $3/23-000 ITEM A ON THE AGENDA 8SGDWHG&RYHU6KHHW Prepared by Staff 2 83'$7('COVER SHEET To: Board of Adjustment Item: APL23-0002 Parcel Number: 1010162004 GENERAL INFORMATION: Applicant(s)/Contact: Property Owner(s): Requested Action: Purpose: Location: Prepared by: Kirk Lehmann, Associate Planner Date: April 12, 2023 XSGDWHG David Moore 425 E. Davenport Street Iowa City, IA 52245 david_lysa@yahoo.com smshullaw@gmail.com Michael Oliveira Prestige Properties Development, LLC 329 E. Court Street, Suite 2 Iowa City, IA 52240 To overturn a decision of the Building Official to extend a building permit for a single-family home To revoke the permit extension. 319 N. Van Buren Street Location Map: Size:2,800 square feet 3 Existing Land Use and Zoning:Vacant;Neighborhood Stabilization Residential (RNS-12) Surrounding Land Use and Zoning North:Residential;Neighborhood Stabilization Residential with a Conservation District Overlay (OCD/RNS-12) East:Residential; Neighborhood Stabilization Residential (RNS-12) South:Residential; Commercial Office (CO-1) West:Residential; Neighborhood Stabilization Residential with a Conservation District Overlay (OCD/RNS-12) Applicable Code Sections:14-2A-4B-4: Building Features Permitted Within Required Setback Area File Date:February 15, 2023 ATTACHMENTS: Location & Zoning Maps Staff Materials Owner Materials>2ZQHUUHTXHVWVWKHLUPDWHULDOVEHGLVUHJDUGHG@ 8SGDWHGCorrespondence Application Materials 4 April 12, 2023 Board of Adjustment Meeting APL23-0002 ATTACHMENT 1 Location & Zoning Maps Prepared by Staff 5 1 * L O E H U W  6 W 1 9 D Q  % X U H Q  6 W (%ORRPLQJWRQ6W ('DYHQSRUW6W ƒ’’Ž‹…ƒ–‹‘•—„‹––‡†„›ƒ˜‡‘‘”‡ˆ‘”ƒƒ’’‡ƒŽ”‡‰ƒ”†‹‰ƒ„—‹Ž†‹‰’‡”‹–‡š–‡•‹‘ˆ‘”ƒ’”‘Œ‡…–ƒ–͵ͳͻƒ—”‡–”‡‡–ǢƒŽŽ‡‰‹‰–Šƒ–‹–†‘‡•‘–‡‡–•‡–„ƒ…ƒ†‘–Ї””‡“—‹”‡‡–•‘ˆ…‹–›…‘†‡Ǥ q ʹ͵ǦͲͲͲʹ ͵ͳͻƒ—”‡–”‡‡–”‡’ƒ”‡†›ǣƒ‹”‹ƒƒ–‡”‡’ƒ”‡†ǣƒ”…ŠʹͲʹ͵   0LOHV 6 1 * L O E H U W  6 W 1 9 D Q  % X U H Q  6 W (%ORRPLQJWRQ6W ('DYHQSRUW6W &2&2 516 ƒ’’Ž‹…ƒ–‹‘•—„‹––‡†„›ƒ˜‡‘‘”‡ˆ‘”ƒƒ’’‡ƒŽ”‡‰ƒ”†‹‰ƒ„—‹Ž†‹‰’‡”‹–‡š–‡•‹‘ˆ‘”ƒ’”‘Œ‡…–ƒ–͵ͳͻƒ—”‡–”‡‡–ǢƒŽŽ‡‰‹‰–Šƒ–‹–†‘‡•‘–‡‡–•‡–„ƒ…ƒ†‘–Ї””‡“—‹”‡‡–•‘ˆ…‹–›…‘†‡Ǥ q ʹ͵ǦͲͲͲʹ ͵ͳͻƒ—”‡–”‡‡–”‡’ƒ”‡†›ǣƒ‹”‹ƒƒ–‡”‡’ƒ”‡†ǣƒ”…ŠʹͲʹ͵   0LOHV 7 April 12, 2023 Board of Adjustment Meeting APL23-0002 ATTACHMENT 2 Staff Materials Prepared by Staff 8 Date:April 7, 2023 To:Board of Adjustment From:Danielle Sitzman, Development Services Coordinator, Building Official Re:Case APL23-0002- An appeal of a decision of the Building Official regarding front setbacks at 319 N. Van Buren Street. Introduction This memo is to provide the Board information regarding the evaluation of front setbacks at the subject property. The subject property is zoned Neighborhood Stabilization Residential Zone “RNS-12” and a building permit for the construction of a detached single-family dwelling has been issued by the City. Issue City staff’s understanding of the appeal is the appellant maintains a stairway extends into the front setback area in violation of the Zoning Code. Zoning Code Provisions The key Zoning Code provision at issue is Section 14-2A-4B-2d, which is set forth below. Other Code provisions cited in this memo and relevant definitions can be found at the end of the memo. 4. Building Features Permitted Within Required Setback Area:The following building features may extend into the required principal building setback area, subject to the conditions indicated and provided that location of such a feature does not violate the provisions of chapter 5, article D, "Intersection Visibility Standards", of this title. d. Stairways that function as the principal means of access to dwelling units located above the ground or first floor of a building may not extend into any required setback. City’s Analysis and Decision The City’s decision to issue a building permit is based on the following. The building plans show a detached single-family dwelling with 3-stories. The subject property qualified for “setback averaging,” which results in the minimum front setback as 9.8’. The required front yard setback area is the area between the street-side lot line(s) along North Van Buren Street and a line drawn parallel to the street and west 9.8’ from the street. Within this required front “setback area” principal buildings are not allowed, except for certain building features as specified in Section 14-2A-4B-4 of the Iowa City Code. 9 The lowermost story of the proposed building is considered the ground floor/first floor of the building by the zoning code and is labeled “Lower Level” on the building plan set, sheet 5, which is attached to this memo. The plans show an entry door to be located on the building façade adjacent to North Van Buren Street on the ground/first floor. The entry door is oriented south and opens into the ground floor/first floor living space (“south facing entry door”).The ground floor/first floor is connected to the rest of the habitable space of the dwelling. The south facing entry door is the principal means of access to the single dwelling unit proposed on the property. A second door is to be located on the building façade adjacent to North Van Buren Street on the next story above the ground floor/first floor which is labeled “Main Level” on the building plan set, sheet 5. This door is oriented east and accessed via a stairway (“east facing entry door”). Stairways are an allowed building feature which may extend into the required principal building setback areas subject to the conditions indicated in 14-2A-4B-4d. The stairway, while it does access the level of the building above the ground floor/first floor, is not the principal means of access to the building The principal means of access to the building as stated above is the south facing entry door on the building façade adjacent to North Van Buren Street. Therefore, the stairway can extend without limit into the front setback area. City Code Provisions Title 14 Zoning Code, Chapter 9 Definitions (14-9A-1) ABUT/ABUTTING: Contiguous; having a common boundary, wall, or property line. ALLEY: An open public way intended for use as a means of vehicular access to abutting property. BASEMENT: A portion of a building located partially underground but having three and one-half feet (3.5') or more of its floor to ceiling height above grade. A "basement" is counted as a story for the purpose of height and setback regulations. BUILDING: Any structure with a roof and designed or intended to support, enclose, shelter or protect persons, animals or property. BUILDING FACADE: The exterior wall of a building adjacent to a street, the front or side along a private street, or civic space. DWELLING: A building wholly or partially used or intended to be used for residential occupancy. DWELLING, DETACHED SINGLE-FAMILY: A single-family use that is not attached to any other dwelling unit. DWELLING UNIT: Any habitable room or group of adjoining habitable rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single unit with facilities used or intended to be used by one household for living, sleeping, cooking and eating meals. Multiple dwelling units exist if there is more than one meter for any utility, more than one address to the property, more than one kitchen, and/or if there is a lockable, physical separation between rooms within the dwelling unit such that a room or rooms on each side of the separation could be used as a dwelling unit. FRONTAGE: The distance as measured along a right of way line from one intersecting street to another, from one intersecting street to the end of a dead end street or from one intersecting street to the end of a cul-de-sac. 10 GRADE (Adjacent Ground Elevation): The average point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground, paving or sidewalk within the area between the building and the property line or, when the property line is more than five feet (5') from the building, between the building and a line five feet (5') from the building. When the finished surface of the ground has been raised by adding fill to create a higher grade around a building, the slope of the fill within twenty feet (20') of the building shall not exceed four (4) horizontal to one vertical or twenty five percent (25%). GROUND FLOOR/FIRST FLOOR: The lowest floor of a building having its floor to ceiling height at or above the grade. LOT, CORNER: A lot located at the intersection of two (2) or more streets. LOT, INTERIOR: A lot bounded by a street on only one side. LOT LINE, STREET-SIDE: Any lot line that separates a lot from a public or private street (not including alleys or private rear lanes). PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY: Property dedicated to public use and intended for the movement of the public. STREET, LOCAL: A street used primarily for access to abutting property and for moving local traffic. PROJECTIONS (INTO SETBACKS): Parts of buildings, such as architectural features, which protrude into required setback areas. PRIMARY BUILDING: The building that serves all activities related to the principal use of the design site. PRIMARY STREET FRONTAGE: The frontage of a lot to which the address is assigned. PRINCIPAL BUILDING: A building containing the principal use. PRINCIPAL USE: The primary use of land or a structure as distinguished from an accessory use, e.g., a dwelling is a principal use on a lot in a residential zone, while a garage or pool is an accessory use. SETBACK: The distance between a specified object, such as a building, and another point. "Setbacks" are usually measured from lot lines to a specified object. Unless otherwise indicated, an unspecified setback refers to a building setback. SETBACK AREA: A required area on a lot unoccupied by structures above grade, except for projections and specific accessory uses or structures allowed in such area under the provisions of this title. A "setback area" extends from the grade upward. SETBACK (AREA), FRONT: The area on a lot between the street-side lot line(s) and the front setback line. SETBACK LINE: The line beyond which a specified use, object, building or structure shall not project, except as specified in this title. SETBACK LINE, FRONT: A line drawn parallel to the street and as far back from the street as specified for the principal building, front setback. 11 STREET, PUBLIC: A right of way, dedicated to and accepted for public use, which affords a means of access to abutting property and a means of vehicular travel. A public street is owned or controlled by a government entity. Title 14 Zoning Code, Chapter 2A Dimensional Requirements Single-Family Residential Zones (14-2A-4): The dimensional requirements for the single-family residential zones are stated in table 2A-2, located at the end of this section and described in more detail in subsections A through E. Subsection B is entirely about setbacks for principal buildings. 2. General Setback Requirements: Generally, the minimum required setbacks for principal buildings in residential zones are stated in table 2A-2, located at the end of this section. The minimum setbacks for principal buildings create required setback areas within which principal buildings are not allowed, except for certain building features as specified in this subsection. The table states the Minimum Front Setbacks for principal structures in the RNS-12 zone is fifteen (15) feet. e. Setback Averaging: (2) Where at least fifty percent (50%) of the lots along a frontage are occupied by principal buildings that are located closer to the street than the required front setback, the front setback may be reduced to the average of the respective setbacks on the abutting lots. Only the setbacks on the lots that abut each side of the subject property along the same street may be used to calculate the average. Setbacks across the street or along a different street frontage may not be used. When one abutting lot is vacant or if the lot is a corner lot, then the average is based on the setback of the nonvacant lot and the required setback for the zone in which the lot is located. The subject property qualified for setback averaging, therefore the minimum front setback as is 9.8’. 4. Building Features Permitted Within Required Setback Area:The following building features may extend into the required principal building setback area, subject to the conditions indicated and provided that location of such a feature does not violate the provisions of chapter 5, article D, "Intersection Visibility Standards", of this title. d. Stairways that function as the principal means of access to dwelling units located above the ground or first floor of a building may not extend into any required setback. 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""@ @ +@C @F> &@ >&">D @>D & +>B      ">> (   +@>>> B "@ @ >@F> &@ >&">D @>D B B  B G     8  1 +(                        "  #    .   9 @              $               9      "  #    &           ,@    ;   "-                  @-      9             "  #'. .    6   -  !       5  '    C      9   +@!            :          9   @(             9    "  ?' 5  #  '    ,.  >          =         A         =  =7                                 %-  +",    * <       9 >! ?  $   $   $       9       4         +>> 1    9G>4       +>> 1    9G    =>4                        %    *  %=    *              2   9                 9   -  2               B   +>(             +""     ++             ! ! @               +C          ? !                +,  @'E   ? '  ?  %( +=",""">+=* 25 Title 14 Zoning Code Chapter 2 Base Zones A. Single-Family Residential Zones 4. Dimensional Requirements B. Minimum Setback Requirements for Principal Buildings 3. Specific Setback Requirements e. Setback Averaging: (2) Where at least fifty percent (50%) of the lots along a frontage are occupied by principal buildings that are located closer to the street than the required front setback, the front setback may be reduced to the average of the respective setbacks on the abutting lots. Only the setbacks on the lots that abut each side of the subject property along the same street may be used to calculate the average. Setbacks across the street or along a different street frontage may not be used. When one abutting lot is vacant or if the lot is a corner lot, then the average is based on the setback of the nonvacant lot and the required setback for the zone in which the lot is located. (See figure 2A.2 of this section.) Figure 2A.2 - Setback Averaging (2) 26 Staff Analysis-Front Setback Distance: This lot qualifies for setback averaging as 4 out of 5 lots (80%) along this frontage are occupied with buildings closer than the 15’ base zone front setback. The subject lot is not a corner lot as it is only bounded by one street. While streets and alleys are both public rights-of-way, only streets are used in the setback averaging calculation. Only the highlighted abutting lot’s measurement is used for calculation. Therefore, Front setback for subject lot is: 9.8’/1 = 9.8’ 27 APL23-0002 ATTACHMENT 3 Owner Materials >2ZQHUUHTXHVWVWKHLUPDWHULDOV EHGLVUHJDUGHG@ Prepared by Owner 28 29 30 APL23-0002 ATTACHMENT 4 8SGDWHGCorrespondence Prepared by Identified Party 31 1 Board of Adjustment April 8, 2023 In an April 7 memo defending the decision to allow a staircase to intrude into the required front setback, the Building Official states: “Stairways are an allowed building feature which may extend into the required principal building setback area subject to the condition indicated in 14-2A-4B-4d. The stairway, while it does access the level of the building above the ground/first floor, is not the principle means of access to the building. The principal means of access to the building as stated above is the south facing entry door on the building facade adjacent to Van Buren Street. Therefore the stairway can extend without limits into the front setback area.” In making this interpretation the Building Official relies heavily on Section 14-2A- 4:B.4.d. (from now on referred to as Section d.). Section d. states, “Stairways that function as the principal means of access to dwelling units located above the ground or first floor of a building may not extend into any required setback.” The presence of this clause and its reference to “principal access” should not lead to allowing a full-story staircase to a second access for a single-family house to intrude into the required setback area, especially when read in context of the entire section addressing what building features are allowed in the setback area. The Building Official’s claim that “Stairways are an allowed building feature which may extend into the required principal building setback area subject to the conditions indicated in 14-2A-4B-4d….." is incorrect. Nowhere in the code (including section 14- 2A-4B-4.d.) does it say that stairways to a second floor are permitted to extend into a required setback area for a single-family dwelling, regardless of whether it leads to a principal or secondary access. The portions of a building that the zoning code lists as being allowed to extend into the setback are: awnings, uncovered balconies, bay windows, belt courses, buttresses, canopies, chimneys, cornices, sills, and other similar features (Section 14-2A-4: B.4.a.). The proposed full-story stairway is not similar to these items. It is, however, similar in design and scale to porches, covered decks, and covered patios. All items that are expressly prohibited from extending into the setback area (Section 14-2A-4: B.4.b.). Read Section d. closely. “Stairways that function as the principal means of access to dwelling units located above the ground or first floor of a building may not extend into any required setback.” The modifier “located above the ground floor” refers to dwelling units, not principal access. In other words Section d. is saying if a building contains dwelling units above the ground floor the building may not have a stairway (which provides principal access to those dwelling units) extending into a setback. It does not say if primary access is on the ground floor a stairway may lead to a second door on an upper floor, as the Building Official misinterpreted. Section d. refers to dwelling units above the ground floor for a reason. The use of dwelling units plural indicates that it is referring to multiple units. This clause is not referring to a single family dwelling. How could you have a single family dwelling above $GGHGWRSDFNHW$SULO 31D 2 the ground floor? If the single family dwelling is above the ground floor, what is on the ground floor? In reality part of the single family dwelling has to be on the ground floor. The reason that Section d. is in the code is that in the 1990s some developers were constructing multi-unit buildings with exterior staircases as means of access to dwelling units located on upper floors. This style of construction allows a building to achieve a maximum amount of leasable space with a minimum amount of interior common space to be maintained. However, it can also result in aesthetic and safety concerns. The City wished to discourage this type of design so Section d. was added to the code to expressly prohibit exterior staircases in the setback area as the primary means of access to dwellings located above the ground floor of multi-unit buildings. Other than emphasizing that full-story exterior staircases are undesirable even on multi-family buildings, Section d. is meaningless in the context of a single family dwelling.* The section immediately following Section d., Section 14-2A-4B-4.e. (Section e.) applies to single-family dwellings and other residential buildings. Section e. states: “Stoops and wheelchair ramps that function as a means of access to the ground or first floor of a building may extend into the rear setback, up to eight feet (8') into the required front setback . . .” Section e. makes it clear that stairs that are allowed in the setback area are limited to the ground or first floor. The Building Official ignored this clause in her statement. Why would the zoning code limit stairs that are in the setback area to the ground floor in Section e, but allow them to upper floors in Section d? When read correctly it doesn’t. The Building Official apparently did not take into account Section 14-4C-2: J.1.b, which prohibits the construction of decks and platforms within 10 feet of the front property line. The proposed staircase includes two landing platforms and decks within the prohibited area. Even if one bought the argument that stairways to the second floor are allowed if they are providing secondary access, it would be questionable that the plan for 319 N. Van Buren complies with this misinterpretation. The building and site plans show that the second-floor door to which the encroaching staircase leads, is the front door to the house. It faces the street and provides access to the main living area. It is clearly the principal access. The first-floor door located on the southeast corner of the building does not face the street. It faces an alley and will be hidden behind the staircase. It is clearly not the principal access. It should be noted that on February 3, 2022 the Building Official approved the plan shown on Exhibit A. That plan did not show any pedestrian doorway on the first floor of the house. The only pedestrian access was to the second floor reached by the stairway that intrudes into the required setback. After inquiries were raised about approval of that plan, it was amended on December 15, 2022 to include a door on the first floor, which the Building Official is now claiming as the principal entrance. One might conclude that the addition of this first-floor door was an attempt to rectify the mistake of granting a $GGHGWRSDFNHW$SULO 31E 3 permit for a stairway that violates the setback. But it does not solve the violations as detailed above. When there is a question about interpretation, good zoning practice looks to the intent or purpose clause of the code for guidance. For setbacks, Section 14-2A-4.B.1.c. states that the purpose is to, “Reflect the general building scale and placement of structures in the city's neighborhoods.” The proposed plan does not reflect the general building scale and placement of structures in the RNS-12 zone or any single-family neighborhood in the city. If you drive or walk through the neighborhoods of Iowa City, you will not find examples of single-family houses with full-story stairways that intrude into the front yard setback. If you do they are non-conforming or zoning violations. The building permit for 319 N. Van Buren Street was issued by mistake and should be revoked. Robert Miklo * Section d. appears in the single-family dimensional standards of the zoning code only because the RNS-12 zone allows construction of multi-unit buildings when they are being built to replace existing conforming multi-unit structures and therefore standards are necessary to guide their construction. Exhibit A: previously approved plan with no ground floor pedestrian access shown. $GGHGWRSDFNHW$SULO 31F $GGHGWRSDFNHW$SULO G $GGHGWRSDFNHW$SULO H $GGHGWRSDFNHW$SULO I 32 33 March 23, 2023 RE: Appeal regarding property at 319 N Van Buren Dear Property Owner and/or Occupant: The Iowa City Board of Adjustment has received an appeal submitted by David Moore. The appeal challenges a building permit extension issued for DVLQJOHIDPLO\KRPHDW 319 N. Van Buren Street alleging that the SURSRVHGbuilding does not meet setback and other requirements of city code. As a neighboring property owner and/or occupant, you are being notified of this application. If you know of any interested party who has not received a copy of this letter, we would appreciate it if you would inform them of the pending application. The Board of Adjustment will review this application at a public meeting tentatively scheduled for April 12, 2023 at 5:15 p.m. Because the meeting is subject to change, you may wish to call 319-356-5247 or check the City of Iowa City’s website, www.icgov.org/BOA, the week of the meeting to confirm the meeting agenda. You are welcome to attend this public meeting to present your views concerning this application. You may also submit written information to me for consideration in advance of the meeting, and I will include your comments in the information to be considered by the Board. Please do not hesitate to contact me at klehmann@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5247 if you have any questions or comments about this application or if you would like more information on the Board of Adjustment review process. Sincerely, Kirk Lehmann, AICP Associate Planner, City of Iowa City Department of Neighborhood and Development Services 34 What is the Board of Adjustment? The Board of Adjustment is panel made up of Iowa City citizens appointed by the City Council. The board reviews and grants special exceptions and variances and also considers appeals when there is a disagreement about an administrative zoning decision made by the City. Members of the board act like judges, making decisions about individual properties and uses that may have difficulty meeting a specific zoning regulation or to resolve disputes about administrative zoning decisions. The actions and decisions of the Board of Adjustment are binding upon all parties unless overturned upon appeal to District Court. What is a special exception? There are two types of special exceptions. 1. Within the zoning code a number of land uses are set apart as special exceptions that may be permitted in certain zones. Rather than permitting these uses outright, each is reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that they do not negatively affect surrounding properties. For example, daycare centers are permitted in residential zones by special exception. The same is true of churches and private schools. All may be appropriate uses in residential zones, if certain criteria such as parking, screening, and other requirements are met. 2. Adjustments to specific zoning requirements in cases where there are unique circumstances. Again, the opportunity to adjust these requirements and the criteria for allowing such adjustments are described in the Zoning Code. For example, a homeowner may apply for a reduction in a building setback in order to accommodate an addition or other improvement to their property. The Zoning Code lists explicitly each use and standard for which a special exception may be considered. In other words, you can’t request a special exception for everything—only those things called out as special exceptions in the Code. The Code also provides criteria specific to each request. Applicants must provide evidence that they satisfy each of these criteria, and the Board must consider these criteria when making a determination as to whether to grant a special exception. What is a variance? A variance grants a legal right to an owner to develop property in a manner that deviates from a specific provision of the Zoning Code and for which a special exception is not expressly allowed. In seeking relief from the restrictions in the Zoning Code, the property owner applying for the variance must show that the strict application of the Zoning Code would cause and unnecessary hardship such that the property in question is unusable or that a literal interpretation of the ordinance would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the zoning district. In addition the circumstances that create this hardship must be unique to the property in question and must not be of the property owner’s own making. What is an appeal? The Board considers and rules on appeals from any citizen who believes there is an error in any decision, determination, or interpretation made by the City or its designee in the administration of the Zoning Code. As with their other decisions, the Board’s ruling is binding on all parties unless overturned on appeal to the District Court. How does the review process work? An application requesting a special exception, variance, or an appeal is a request. The Board makes a decision on whether to grant a specific request only after City staff have provided a review of an application and the public has had an opportunity to make its concerns known. The Board not only has the right to approve or deny requests, but may also choose to approve request subject to certain conditions. In making decisions, the Board may only consider comments and evidence relevant to the specific standards provided in the code. City Development Staff provide reports to the Board for each application on the agenda. The Staff Report provides background information on the application, informs the Board of all the criteria in the Code that a particular application must satisfy, and interprets whether and how an application has satisfied these criteria. How can I participate in the process? Because most applications will be reviewed and decided upon at a single public hearing, it is important for interested parties to respond in a timely and informed manner. Those who wish to speak for or against an application are given an opportunity to be heard by the Board at the hearing, but may also submit written comments prior to the meeting. Written comments must be delivered to the Department of Neighborhood & Development Services at City Hall no later than 5 days before the hearing in order to be included with the Staff Report. All correspondence submitted after that time will be delivered to the Board at the time of the hearing. The Board considers the application, the recommendation of staff (in the staff report) and any additional information, correspondence, or testimony provided at the hearing. Board of Adjustment hearings are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. in Emma J. Harvat Hall in City Hall. You can find more information at the following website: www.icgov.org/boa. The Staff Report can be very useful to anyone who is unfamiliar with the BOA process or with the Zoning Code and will provide an understanding of the criteria that the Board must consider in rendering its decision. Staff Reports may be obtained from the Department of Neighborhood & Development Services. E-mail klehmann@iowa- city.org to request a copy of a report. If you have questions about an application or if you simply want more information about issues related to the Board of Adjustment, please feel free to contact Kirk Lehmann at 319-356- 5247 or e-mail klehmann@iowa- city.org. To submit comments to the Board of Adjustment write to the Board of Adjustment c/o the Department of Neighborhood & Development Services, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City IA 52240 or e-mail klehmann@iowa- city.org. Board of Adjustment: Frequently Asked Questions 35 1 * L O E H U W  6 W 1 9 D Q  % X U H Q  6 W (%ORRPLQJWRQ6W ('DYHQSRUW6W ƒ’’‡ƒŽ•—„‹––‡†„›ƒ˜‹†‘‘”‡”‡‰ƒ”†‹‰ƒ„—‹Ž†‹‰’‡”‹–‡š–‡•‹‘ˆ‘”ƒ•‹‰Ž‡Ǧˆƒ‹Ž›Š‘‡ƒ–͵ͳͻǤƒ—”‡–”‡‡–ǡƒŽŽ‡‰‹‰–Šƒ––Ї„—‹Ž†‹‰†‘‡•‘–‡‡–•‡–„ƒ…ƒ†‘–Ї””‡“—‹”‡‡–•‘ˆ‹–›‘†‡Ǥ q ʹ͵ǦͲͲͲʹ ͵ͳͻƒ—”‡–”‡‡–”‡’ƒ”‡†›ǣƒ‹”‹ƒƒ–‡”‡’ƒ”‡†ǣƒ”…ŠʹͲʹ͵   0LOHV 36 37 38 ! " # $ %# $ & ' ( ) $ $ ) "# # # )) %* & ' (+ "# # # ! $ %" % , + $ )* ! # # " !)& ' ( ( - " ) $ ) %* & ' (+ ! 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"% .%3 (, %* & ' ((0 (, 41 April 12, 2023 Board of Adjustment Meeting APL23-0002 ATTACHMENT 5 Application Materials Prepared by Appellant 42 Project Description: The building official has issued a building permit extension for a project at 319 N Van Buren Street that does not meet setback and other requirements of city code. Decision Being Appealed: Appealing the extension of a building permit Date of Decision: 01/17/2023 Title of Administrative Official Issuing Decision: Building Official (Development Services Coordinator) Code Section Cited in Official’s Decision: Municipal Code 17-1-3 Purpose of Appeal: To revoke the permit extension. Appeal Request Summary: The building official has issued a building permit extension for a project that does not meet setback and other requirements of city code. Remedy Desired: To revoke the permit extension. 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52