Board approves garage, second driveway and small rear addition at 12 Rogers Drive

The Milford Board of Adjustments approved three variances for 12 Rogers Drive that will allow homeowner Anthony Cardona to build a detached two-car garage, add a second driveway onto Rogers Drive and construct a six-foot rear addition that encroaches 12 feet into the required rear-yard setback. The approvals were unanimous. Cardona said his existing attached garage is too small to store vehicles and equipment and that the proposed 24-by-25-foot detached garage and new 20-foot-wide driveway would allow him to park vehicles out of the yard. "I only have a single attached garage now that's pretty well filled with lawn equipment," Cardona said. He also described the rear addition as a modest six-foot extension to provide a formal dining room. Planning staff described the three code sections for which relief was requested: Milford City Code chapter 230-20(b) (driveway/garage standards — second driveway and curb cut width), chapter 230-9(b)(5)(b) (limitations on accessory structures in front yard), and chapter 230-9(d)(6) (minimum rear-yard setback). The proposed garage would be placed 13 feet in front of the principal dwelling and the addition would reduce the rear-yard setback from 25 feet to 13 feet. Staff also confirmed required public notices were mailed within the 200-foot radius and that a notice sign was posted on the property; one attendee asked that the item be tabled until all neighbors confirmed receipt of notices, but staff said the standard mailed notice and posted sign satisfied the city’s notification requirements. Neighbors who spoke—Bob Friedrich among them—described the applicant’s renovation of the house and supported the improvements, noting the existing shed and small garage are not adequate for the homeowner’s needs. Board members said the proposed garage and addition were compatible with the lot configuration and neighborhood character and voted to approve all three variance requests. Cardona was instructed to follow up with planning staff on permitting and any required recorded instruments for the driveway access.