Board approves limited NCD‑5 carport relief after neighborhood compromise at 1224 West French Place

The Board of Adjustment approved a set of NCD‑5 variances for a carport at 1224 West French Place after negotiating a compromise that balanced the homeowner’s medical and accessibility needs with neighborhood conservation standards. The owner, Miranda Morales, testified that the carport provides shade and space for her elderly mother’s physical‑therapy needs; the homeowner’s attorney said the accessory structures in the rear had existed for decades and that removing the carport would be impractical.

The Beacon Hill Neighborhood Association delivered a split recommendation: it supported allowing nonmatching carport materials and a 1‑inch side setback but opposed allowing the structure to extend into the front yard. After discussion, the board read a motion to approve variances for accessory structure square footage and materials, to allow the carport in the side yard but not to protrude more than eight feet past the front wall of the primary structure, and to require installation of gutters to prevent runoff onto adjacent properties. Commissioner Reid said the changes would not substantially injure adjacent properties and represented a reasonable compromise; the motion passed 10‑0.

The owner agreed to the gutter condition and to adjust the carport’s projection so it would not extend beyond the agreed limit. Staff will follow up to verify the built condition matches the approved plan and that gutters are installed.