2015.08.18 PC Packet Combined - Laserfiche WebLink

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Variance Narrative 1509 28 Ave NW July 31, 2015 We wish to remodel our house and add a studio at the rear. Planning informed us that 3 stories was not allowed. We thought 2'/z stories from the street would be acceptable and that the location at the rear and from the sides has minimum visibility. Since that conversation, we have tried other schemes but none are as interesting and fun. • To us, the house is 2 '/2 stories high from the street, 3 stories in the rear. • The studio is only 236 sf, a partial story, not a full story. • The studio is to the rear of the house, away from the street, and centered so that it is away from the neighbors. • Most of our remodeling construction is in the rear of the house. We prefer not to spread construction cost over the garage and make an even greater massing impact from the street, or add to the building footprint. ® Many houses have steeper roof pitches that allow expansion to the attic. Ours has a 3:12 pitch with no room but up. • This addition has minimal impact and is less than 30 ft high. It is within Zoning height, setbacks, but debatable with `story'semantics. • We think that the design is consistent with both the legacy houses in the neighborhood but also with the three new modernist designs built in the last few years. From an appearance point of view, we think it adds to and enhances the attractiveness of the house, while the "add a 2nd story to the garage" alternative would detract from the appearance of the house and the neighborhood. Thank you for your consideration.