East Ridge zoning board approves six‑foot setback variance for 3709 Sullivan Ave homeowner

The Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of East Ridge voted to approve a six‑foot variance to the side‑yard setback for the property at 3709 Sullivan Avenue.

Chairman Leach opened the hearing after confirming a quorum and read the case as “BR 263 Grama Sauer, 3709 Sullivan Avenue,” a request to reduce the required 10‑foot side‑yard setback to about 4 feet. Mark, a city staff member who presented the staff report, told the board the house currently sits about 7 feet 6 inches from the northwest property line and that the proposed addition (roughly 3 feet 6 inches by 8 feet) would reduce that setback to approximately 4 feet, creating a 6‑foot variance.

The applicant, who identified herself as Grace Shower of 3709 Sullivan Avenue, told the board the fenced northwest area has been “really an unusable space” since she bought the house 35 years ago and that the addition would enclose a closet or bathroom while preserving a roughly 4‑foot walkway and existing egress from the master bedroom. "We still would have a 4 foot walkway from the gate down the property line fence to the backyard," Shower said.

Mark told the board he found no prior variance on the parcel in city records and cautioned that the reduced setback will trigger building‑code and fire‑rating requirements for the structure. He also presented a schematic and GIS photo in the packet and described architectural patterns in the neighborhood that suggested some historic variations in setbacks.

Board members questioned the applicant and staff about the porch roof, egress for emergency responders and the plan to pour a concrete slab to secure a safe. The applicant said the slab would be at grade and would not require excavation below the existing foundation.

One board member moved to approve the variance based on neighborhood precedent; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Chairman Leach announced the approval and advised the applicant to work with city staff to obtain required building and electrical permits.

The board also noted that any construction must comply with applicable fire‑rating and building‑permit conditions and that their decision is subject to judicial appeal in a court of competent jurisdiction. The meeting then moved to a continuing‑education item and was adjourned.