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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6) Variance request justifacation 7/27/2016 Variance Request Justification Permit #B16003014 Parcel #3340401597 I will start by stating the obvious. In order to move forward with our project as proposed, two variances would need to be granted. One variance for a reduced front yard setback of 20 feet instead of the new 25 foot setback. Then a second variance that requests a height in excess of 24 feet. I have written to the Current Planning director Vanessa Dolbee as well as Planning Director Jennifer Henning giving them some information regarding my Permanent disabilities I will copy a small portion here below in bold print. I understand that the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division allows for City Governments to make “Reasonable Modifications to policies, practices or procedures to prevent discrimination on the basis of disabilities. Reasonable modifications can include modifications to local laws, ordinances and regulations that adversely impact people with disabilities. For example it may be reasonable to grant a variance for zoning requirements and setbacks. In addition city governments may consider granting exceptions to the enforcement of certain laws as a form of reasonable modification. Keeping this in mind the City can allow our project to move forward by this information alone. Now I will make a direct correlation to my disability that prevented me from building back when the zoning was Complimentary to our goals and no Variance was needed. I was ready to build our house in July of 2013. Looking at the date on our custom plans made specifically to fit on our small 4500 S.F. Lot you will see the date is July 25th 2013, well before any new zoning was in effect. I could not build due to an emergency spinal surgery on August 8th 2013 at Valley Medical I am still in chronic pain since that time but have adapted to my new normal. This by itself Shows Justification for all the conditions set by the City of Renton without being considered special privilege. The subject property was part of a short plat in 2005 which laid out 20 foot front yards for each new lot. The Variance to 20 feet is the minimal variance that would accomplish the desired purpose. We would suffer due to the small size of the lot and it would deprive us of our right to build a home setup for our future needs. Below are descriptions of homes immediately next to the subject property (1409 Shattuck AVE S.) This shows common sense justification of size of subject property. * The House located south of subject property at 322 S. 15th street Renton WA 98055 is 3,740 S.F. and is 4 bedroom 2 bath this house is 2 story including daylight basement on a .51 acre or 21785 S.F. lot. * The House located West of subject property at 1402 Davis AVE S. Renton WA 98055 is 3,444 S.F. Plus 540 S.F. Garage and is 4 bedroom 3.5 bath this house is 2.5 story plus basement on a 6098 S.F. Lot. * The second house located West of subject property at 1408 Davis AVE S. Renton WA 98055 is 2189 S.F. Plus 420 S. F. Garage. and is 4 bedrooms 2.5 bath this house is 2 story and located on a 5882 S.F. lot * The House located East of subject property at 1411 Shattuck Ave S Renton WA 98055 is 3,316 S.F. Plus 1060 S.F. Garage and is 5 bedroom 3.5 bath this house is 3 story including daylight basement and is located on a 4500 S.F. Lot. * The average S.F. of all homes abutting the subject property is 3172 S.F. of living space. The subject property is only 2310 S.F. * The average size of all homes abutting the subject property is 4 bed/ 2.5 bath. The subject property is proposing just 3 bed/2.5 bath In all fairness without the requested variances we would not be able to build a home that reflects the rights and privileges of the homes near or abutting our land. Special circumstances affect this block of homes. We are located right next to a major I-405, HWY167 interchange that is moving the freeway wall closer to our homes. Many of our neighboring homes have been torn down to accommodate the freeway wall. The 2 story plus freeway wall will then become our neighbor to the North so to speak. Eliminating the chance of us blocking anyone's view. Not that it is against code in the city of Renton. But noted none the less. It can be argued that we can have an elevator in a 2 story home as well. The problem with this is, the lot is too small to build a home large enough to accommodate the minimum that will accomplish the desired purpose. Once you add the staircase, elevator area and garage you have diminished your build-able living S.F. on such a small legal lot. We also want to maximize the highest and best use of the land without building as large as the homes surrounding us. One more note to address is the money that we have invested in our neighborhood and our architectural plans etc. It has been an incredible amount and is not replaceable due to my disabilities. Just the time and fees involved in this process is a burden on our finances and my health. We are not asking for anything that would constitute a grant of special privilege (a disability is anything but) inconsistent with the limitation upon uses of other properties in the vicinity and zone in which the subject property is located. We own the last build-able lot in our New very small R-6 zoning area. Earl Ingram 1409 Shattuck AVE S Renton WA 98055 Permit # B16003014 Parcel #3340401597