Berkley Zoning Board approves all three variances for Phillips Avenue porch project

BERKLEY — December 12, 2022 — Berkley Zoning Board of Appeals grants three variances allowing a Phillips Avenue porch rebuild, all on split votes. The board voted five to two on the first two variances and four to three on the third at its December 12 meeting, clearing David and Lisa Baker of 3618 Phillips Avenue to replace a failing original porch roof and extend the porch several feet north and south to align with the existing house foundation, which has sat 21 feet from the property line — 5.33 feet short of the current average-setback standard — since the home was built around 1928. Members Euler and Ward opposed all three motions, arguing the applications did not satisfy the hardship criterion that strict compliance would unreasonably prevent permitted use of the property. The board conditioned porch-variance approval on stairs exiting the north side of the structure rather than projecting toward the street as originally drawn. Staff also announced a full zoning ordinance rewrite and a downtown parking study, both set to launch in the first quarter of 2023.