Board approves variance for homeowner's carport after HOA nonresponse

A majority of the Oklahoma City Board of Adjustment voted to approve a variance for an existing carport at 3309 Quail Creek Road after the homeowner told the panel she could not obtain a response from her homeowners association.

The applicant, who identified herself in the hearing as Anne Bred Martins, said she applied for the carport variance after the structure was installed and that she had sent multiple emails to the HOA seeking approval without success. A neighbor who identified herself as Cindy spoke in support, saying the structure is minimal, has no walls or garage door and provides needed protection from bad weather.

Board members discussed technical details and noted the variance sought was small — roughly five feet in width less than the code requirement — and observed the structure is already built. One board member said the variance could have been avoided by building the structure five feet narrower but nevertheless moved to approve the request, finding the application met statutory requirements.

The board cast votes after a motion and second; the motion carried and the applicant was told how to follow up on concerns about the ongoing scam emails she mentioned during her testimony.

The board did not record an on-the-record roll-call tally in the transcript. The applicant was advised to work with staff on next steps regarding the HOA and on any questions about reporting the scam.