Commission splits 5-2 to approve special exception for two-story house on undersized Scufflefield Road lot

The Newport News City Planning Commission on Jan. 15 approved special exception SE2024-006 by a 5-2 vote, recommending that the Board of Zoning Appeals allow construction of a two-story single-family home on a nonconforming lot on Scufflefield Road.

Planning staff (Ms. Zilker) reported that the parcel contains approximately 0.2 acres and has less than the 50 feet of frontage required for a standard lot in the R-3 single-family district, making it a nonconforming lot of record. Staff reviewed the ordinance criteria that permit the Board of Zoning Appeals to approve a special exception for an improvement on a nonconforming lot, including that the structure be two stories and of a style similar to abutting structures, minimum side-yard setbacks of 5 feet, and that an attached garage be recessed 18 feet from the front of the dwelling if attached on the side.

Ms. Zilker said the proposed dwelling would have a 30-foot front-yard setback and 5-foot side setbacks, include an attached two-car garage recessed 18 feet from the front, and use vinyl siding and stone veneer accents. Staff concluded the home would be in harmony with the varied architectural styles on the street and recommended approval to the Board of Zoning Appeals with 10 conditions, including a water-quality assessment with field verification relative to the Chesapeake Bay preservation area and a required land-disturbance permit prior to building permit issuance.

Commissioners questioned the garage treatment and how the design read from the flat elevation compared with a 3-D view. Ms. Zilker responded that staff found the proposed design met the ordinance requirement for a recessed attached garage, noting in the hearing record, "we did find that that particular point met the requirements." Commissioners also confirmed that the lot was an original platted parcel predating the Chesapeake Bay Act and therefore qualified as a lot of record under the city attorney's office opinion.

After discussion the commission voted to approve the special exception. Roll-call votes recorded in the transcript were: Commissioner Shook (for), Commissioner Stachel (against), Commissioner Dias (for), Commissioner Bowdage (against), Commissioner Woodard (for), Commissioner Williams (for) and Commissioner Taylor (for). The motion carried 5 to 2. Planning staff said the case will go to the Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 18.