HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 07-27-20Page 11 of 14
CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
DEPARTMENT REPORT
MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020
(V) Albany Place Porch Depth Variances.
The applicant seeks the following development standards variance approval for 14 lots:
3. Docket No. PZ-2020-00060 V PUD Ordinance Z-604-15, Exhibit C.1.F Minimum 6’
deep porches required, 4’ requested. The sites are zoned Albany Place PUD/Planned Unit
Development. They are located generally in the northeast quadrant of 141st St. and Shelborne Rd. (Lots
4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, 29, 36, and 51 in Albany Place Subdivision) Filed by Lee
Phillips of Drees Homes, on behalf of Drees Homes and Albany Place Developer LLC.
General Info & Analysis:
The Petitioner seeks variance approval to have 14
lots/houses that have front porches that are less
than 6-ft deep, and 4 feet deep porches are
proposed. This is a 33% decrease in porch depth.
Please see the Petitioner’s informational packet
for more detail on the variance request.
The Petitioner seeks variance approval for 14
(27.4%) of the 51 lots in the neighborhood.
The PUD Ordinance’s Architectural Standards
require the following for Porches and Entryways:
1. Porches shall be required on all Dwellings and
shall be a minimum of 6 feet deep.
2. Porches and/or entryways shall be clearly
defined and should be visible as the main focus of
the front facade.
3. Porches and/or entryways shall be delineated
by elements such as pilasters, sidelights, columns,
railings, etc.
The original developer of the neighborhood wrote up and submitted these architectural standards to the Plan
Commission as part of the PUD rezone petition. They are public record and part of the adopted PUD Ordinance,
and any following developer would know what is expected of them.
Most resources will say the minimum for a porch is six feet in depth. This is for good reason, as that allows
enough room for a homeowner to incorporate chairs, potted plants, and/or other furniture with enough room to
move around and walk in front of the furniture, as well as be able to open a screen door or storm door.
The typical definition of a Porch is that it is a covered shelter projecting in front of the entrance of a building.
Porches are almost always located on the front of a house but can also be located on a side or a rear of a house.
(It is a Patio that can be covered or uncovered, but those are typically located to the side or rear of a house.) The
Petitioner has offered to pour 6’ deep concrete patio areas that will project 2 feet out from the 4’ deep porches.
The Petitioner addressed all the planning/zoning review comments; however, the Planning Dept. does not
support this variance request.
Petitioner’s Findings of Fact: The BZA attorney will write up the negative findings of fact.
Recommendation: The Dept. of Community Services (DOCS) recommends negative consideration of
Docket No. PZ-2020-00060 V.