Board approves large side‑yard variance for Tudor‑era house at 2274 Yorkshire Road

The Board of Zoning and Planning on Sept. 16 approved a variance at 2274 Yorkshire Road that will allow a two‑story, 585‑square‑foot attached garage addition to encroach 5 feet 6 inches into the required 10‑foot side yard setback on a property in the city's historic district.

Staff told the board the lot is irregular, the house is a contributing Tudor‑revival residence built in 1926, and the proposal would place new habitable space above an existing driveway without increasing overall lot coverage. Staff recommended findings 1, 2 and 4 and added a condition that the applicant correct dimensional errors on the site plan prior to issuance of a building permit.

The applicant, Megan Schafernacker, confirmed she was agreeable to the condition. Nearby homeowners Jeff and Kara Reinhart told the board they were primarily concerned about a new south‑facing window that would overlook their backyard; they asked the board to consider alternatives. The board discussed window options and architectural treatments. After deliberation, members voted to approve the variance with the staff‑recommended conditions.

"That's a new window," the applicant acknowledged during the discussion when asked about the south elevation, and later agreed with the plan to correct site‑plan errors before permitting.