Decatur board approves variance allowing larger detached accessory structure at 414 Sycamore

The Decatur Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a variance that allows the accessory structures at 414 Sycamore Street to exceed the 1,000-square-foot cap for accessory buildings.

Architect Jeff Wren, representing the applicants Janet and Petroneo Yudao, told the board the project team developed three design options and chose a reduced-footprint detached garage (option B) positioned to limit impacts on adjacent properties and to respect the main house's historic character. "We developed three different options for look at smaller versions of the garage that would be compliant with zoning ordinance and meet their needs," Wren said.

Neighbors opposed the variance at public comment. Beverly Herbert of 420 Sycamore disputed staff calculations and said the carriage house already measures about 882 square feet and the proposed garage would be 24 by 24 feet (576 square feet), which she said would bring the combined accessory total to about 1,458 square feet. "These variances protect us all," Herbert said, urging the board not to grant relief based on owner preference alone.

Staff and board members discussed alternatives. Staff noted an attached garage that is part of the primary structure would not require a variance because it would not count toward the accessory-structure square-foot cap; staff also confirmed the accessory cap — applied since the 2015 code revision — covers garages, sheds and accessory dwelling units regardless of lot size. One board member said the current proposal is "below the height of the carriage house" and "well hidden," while others emphasized the size of the variance and potential precedent for large lots with preexisting carriage houses.

After deliberation on hardship, design, and neighborhood impacts, a board member moved to approve the variance request; the motion received a second and passed by voice vote. The transcript records the board approving the motion without a roll-call tally in the record provided.

The board's action permits the detached garage as presented in the application; because the property is within a historic district, staff noted the project will still require review by the city's Historic Preservation Commission at permitting. The board did not attach additional conditions beyond requiring plans consistent with the application, as reflected in staff comments and the motion.

What happens next: The applicants may proceed with permitting steps, including historic-preservation review; any building permits and final approvals must meet the conditions documented during permitting and by the Historic Preservation Commission.