Board approves setbacks to allow rebuild of severely damaged Sailboat Bend boathouse

The Board of Adjustment approved variances to allow the reconstruction and raising of a historic boathouse at 934 Waverly Road in the Sailboat Bend Historic District.

Applicant representative Rob Orcutt explained the project to the board and said the property was originally reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board. Structural assessments undertaken in preparation for raising and moving the house found extensive termite and structural damage that made moving the structure infeasible. The applicant proposed rebuilding the damaged portions in the same footprint, raising the structure to meet current flood elevation requirements and preserving the historic presence along the river.

Board members asked about the extent of demolition and about the relationship to adjacent properties and the city park to the west. Neighbors who spoke (including a board member who said they frequently travel the nearby swing bridge) expressed support for preserving the house’s appearance on the river. The board found the site’s shoreline location, the extent of damage and the property’s relationship to adjacent city parkland constituted unique circumstances, and voted to grant the requested side‑yard and architectural feature variances with conditions to ensure the rebuilt structure meets flood and historic‑board requirements.

Staff will draft the written order and attach conditions consistent with the board’s direction and with historic board guidance.