CHCA Board denies variance on 54O W. Moreland

by Walt Maguire
Posted 6/25/21

A variance request for subdividing the property at 540 W. Moreland was denied. A variance allowing an existing semi-detached cottage behind 215 E. Evergreen Avenue to be used as a long-term rental property was approved.

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CHCA Board denies variance on 54O W. Moreland

Posted

The CHCA Board of Directors met to review variance requests for two properties. At the monthly board meeting on Wednesday, June 23, a variance request for subdividing the property at 540 W. Moreland was denied, consistent with the recommendations of the DRC and LUPZ. A variance allowing an existing semi-detached cottage behind 215 E. Evergreen Avenue to be used as a long-term rental property was approved. Both decisions were unanimous.

The subdivision on Moreland had been opposed by the neighbors, and the review boards had noted that the owners had not indicated the plans for the new lot or why they were requesting the variance. Harry Cook, representing the owners, said that the historic designation on the main house was the hardship to be remedied. “If this were just any other property, and not an historic building, there could demolition, and the property could be bisected, the owner would have two conforming lots with the code that two single-family homes, by right, could be constructed,” Cook said. The owners had not presented plans for the new lot because they had not determined any use for it yet, waiting to know the outcome of the variance decision. The Board, however, said they could not approve a variance without knowing what the intended use would be.

Water Tower

Also at the board meeting, it was announced the Water Tower recreation center would return to 9am-9pm hours on July 1.