Board unanimously denies Maryland Avenue driveway variance over drainage and neighborhood concerns

The board voted 0-7 on Sept. 14 to deny Variance V-0015, which would have permitted a 30-foot-wide driveway across the front of a 50-foot lot on Maryland Avenue. City staff recommended denial, concluding the application did not meet the variance criteria and could increase stormwater runoff to the public street.

Neighbors who live near the proposed project told the board they worried about more hardscape and worsening drainage. "I've seen a lot of changes on the street and with the big constructions . . . I have to wait 20 minutes after a rainstorm so I can walk through the gully to get to my mailbox," said public commenter Bill Shible, noting ongoing drainage problems adjacent to recent construction. Staff noted the parcel includes modest retention areas shown on the plan but said those would not fully prevent runoff to the street. After public input and board discussion, a motion to approve the variance failed unanimously, recorded as 0 in favor and 7 opposed.