Applicants say house orientation — not large construction — creates variance need

During the hearing the chair asked the applicants to demonstrate why their lot meets the legal requirement of "unique physical conditions" that justify a variance. The chair observed that "because of the way your house is situated... what you would think of as your rear yard is really the side yard because of the way your house is situated." The applicants said the lot is rectangular like neighbors' but does slope about 2–3 feet from Woodcrest Drive toward the back.

Charles E. Watkins stated the sunroom is a family-sized addition and that they had not started excavation or construction. "Most of the family members are looking forward to this the sun being added onto the house," he said. The applicants also noted a neighboring house already has a sunroom and a deck, which the chair cited as relevant to the neighborhood-character finding. The applicants said they had spoken with neighbors and no objections were present at the hearing.