Zoning board approves exception for large rear-yard addition at 918 Galloway

The Zoning Board of Adjustment voted May 4 to approve a Special Exception B allowing a 696-square-foot encroachment into the required rear setback at 918 Galloway, citing the presence of other nearby nonconforming lots with comparable encroachments.

Planning staff presented the case and documented two adjacent properties on the same block (901 and 1014 Galloway) with substantial rear-yard encroachments (recorded at roughly 700–780 square feet) and no prior ZBA approvals on record. Staff said the facts met Exception B criteria; architect Martina Laurai confirmed agreement with the staff recommendation.

No public opposition was recorded, and the board approved the staff recommendation to permit the addition under Exception B. The applicant may now proceed with permitting steps consistent with the exception and building-code reviews.

"Staff does recommend approval of the request as it does comply with all the criteria," the presenter said during the hearing.