Board of Zoning Appeals approves screened-porch variance for 514 Carnview Drive

The Franklin City Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously April 2 to grant a variance allowing homeowners at 514 Carnview Drive to build a screened-in porch that will extend 20 feet into the rear-yard setback.

Staff had recommended denial, telling the board that under the Franklin zoning ordinance appurtenances may encroach only up to 15 feet and that, given the house’s placement, a compliant porch could encroach only about 10 feet. In its written analysis staff concluded the application failed to meet two of the three statutory variance criteria — exceptional conditions and undue hardship — but did find the request would not cause substantial detriment to the public good because the rear of the lot abuts wooded common area.

Homeowner Katie Wiles told the board the house’s roof lines, window placements and narrow rear buildable depth make redesigning a compliant porch impractical. “We’re here to request approval for a variance to build a screened-in porch at the rear of our home,” Wiles said, adding that a 10-foot-deep porch (the compliant depth staff described) would not be functional once roof overhang and usable space were considered. Wiles said contractors advised that widening the porch would require substantial structural changes and could create drainage and safety issues.

Neighbor Samuel Fleming, who lives at 513 Carnview Drive, spoke in support and said the proposed porch would fit the lot and would not be visible from the street. “I think it’s tastefully well designed,” Fleming said.

During discussion, several board members cited the lot’s irregular shape and the roughly 170-foot wooded buffer behind the property as reasons the variance criteria were satisfied in this case. One member said photographic exhibits showing the rear roof pitch helped explain why a compliant design would be impractical. After a motion to approve and a second, the board recorded five approvals and the variance was granted.

The board’s action authorizes the screened-in porch to encroach 20 feet into the rear-yard setback so the porch would sit approximately 5 feet from the rear property line. The homeowners said they have not yet sought a homeowners association response; staff noted the association’s input was included as a letter of support in the board packet. The board did not attach additional conditions beyond the variance approval.

Procedural notes: The board also approved the March 5, 2026 minutes by voice vote earlier in the meeting. The board adjourned after completing the posted business.