Commission denies Woodgrove Drive trim‑color variance, cites precedent and design guidelines

The New Albany Planning Commission on July 20 declined to approve a trim‑color variance for a home in the Woodhaven IPUD, voting 2–2 and thereby denying the applicant’s request to use a darker trim color and darker garage doors than the DGRs allow.

Staff summarized the request as a variance from Woodhaven zoning and the village design guidelines; the city architect and staff said the darker trim would mix architectural styles and that approval could create an undesirable precedent. The applicant’s representative showed physical color samples to the commission and said the proposed door and trim color (described as "timber bark") was darker in the sample exhibits than the real material the home owner planned to install.

Neighbors at the hearing said they had submitted photographs and were available to answer questions; the home owner’s representative explained the intent was to match window shutters and doors for precedent customer preference. "This color, timber bark, is what the customer desires used on the front windows and garage door trim only," the applicant representative said during the hearing.

After admitting the staff materials into the record, the commission voted on the variance. Commissioners Bridal and Larson voted yes; Commissioners Kirby and Wallace voted no, producing a tie and resulting in denial under the board’s rules. Commissioners opposed to the variance said the proposal did not meet the Duncan variance factors and would provide a special benefit to one homeowner not shared by others in the zoning district.

The commission record notes that the applicant may pursue alternative options, including returning with revised materials or new evidence, or requesting reconsideration under the village code.