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Discussion on a variance for a garage at the Riverside Board of Adjustment revealed a discrepancy between the city’s current zoning ordinance and future use plan. This has several houses currently nonconforming to city zoning code, but the discrepancy may soon be alleviated.

A variance was requested to add a garage at a house at 191 West 1st Street. The house predates the city’s current zoning ordinance, grandfathering the property in, but the lot is zoned as commercial rather than residential. Such properties cannot make any additions without first obtaining a variance from the Board of Adjustment.

Discussion was had on whether it would be more appropriate to rezone the area into residential rather than granting the individual variance on the property. City Administrator Cole Smith discovered that the future land use map called for the area to be residential, which did not align with the area’s existing zoning but does align with its current use.

Upon this realization, the board granted the variance but also sent a request to the City Council to reexamine the zoning and consider changing it to residential. Such a change could help current and future residents in the area improve their homes without needing to clear as much red tape.