Covington board approves pavilion variance at 1116 South Vermont, requires removal of covered walkway

The Covington Board of Adjustments voted unanimously on April 20 to approve a variance that lets homeowners install a small pavilion at 1116 South Vermont while requiring the removal of a proposed covered walkway that would have increased the site’s impervious area.

Matthew Vocal of Studio MV LLC, representing the owners, said the three‑lot subdivision already had legally nonconforming impervious coverage (about 48%), and the proposed pavilion plus a covered walkway would raise total coverage to roughly 55% — an increase the applicants sought to regularize with engineered drainage plans. Vocal said the design team had prepared subsurface drainage plans and was willing to use permeable surfaces to avoid off‑site runoff.

Owner Frank Chantina (as identified in the application packet) told the board he and his wife moved from a large farm and need shade near their pool; he said they are prepared to fund the drainage work. Design and staff discussion clarified that the city's impervious‑area calculation treats any roofed surface as impervious and that a permeable base or removing the walkway could reduce the net increase in impervious area.

Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives including permeable surfacing, underground drainage, and landscaping. The board approved the variance on the condition that the detached covered walkway be removed (leaving the 12x12 pavilion) and that the applicant submit or implement the agreed drainage/landscaping measures. The approval was recorded by unanimous roll call.