Board OKs variance for Morgans’ porch at 1421 Mitchell Boulevard

The planning and zoning board voted to approve a variance that will allow Steven and Trudy Morgan to extend a screened porch at 1421 Mitchell Boulevard.

Staff told the board that the Morgans applied to replace an existing roughly 10-by-10 screened porch with a larger 14-by-14 addition and requested a side/corner-yard setback of 17.5 feet instead of the required 20 feet. Staff said notices were mailed and signs posted and that four responses in favor were included in the packet.

Board members asked whether the proposed addition would extend farther south than the existing garage and whether it would affect sight visibility at the corner. A member noted a large tree and a vacated alley adjacent to the site and that the existing house footprint was not currently within the 20-foot setback. Staff said measurements indicate the addition would reach 17.5 feet from the right-of-way and that the tree and vacated alley reduce traffic conflicts.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the variance and another seconded. The board voted by voice and the chair announced the motion carried.

The approval allows the Morgans to proceed with the screened-porch enlargement as presented; the record includes the application materials and neighborhood responses. The board did not identify any required follow-up conditions in the meeting record.