418 LABELLE LN.

Our Letter

We respectfully request a variance from the Monona Zoning Board for our unique corner property at 418 LaBelle Ln. Our lot is positioned preciously at the innermost curve, requiring this variance due to zoning constraints related to the dual street yards. Our ample ¼ acre property features a modest, single-story 1,354 sq ft home with an attached one-car garage. Our one-car garage falls short of our family's needs due to my wife's 100% permanent and total service-related disability as a US Army veteran. To ensure accessible and safe vehicle access, we seek to extend our garage by 11.5’, reducing the setback from 29.4’ to 17.9’ (see “Lot 85” page). This would still allow a vast 37’ setback from the curb to the garage. Our neighbors support this variance request.

Our variance request aligns with preserving the neighborhood's character and public interest. The distinctive nature of our property, combined with zoning setbacks, creates an unnecessary hardship that this variance would alleviate. We welcome any necessary conditions to harmonize with the neighborhood. Our property holds historical, ecological, and communal significance, further justifying our request.

Built in 1957, our home reflects an era of single-income families with one vehicle. Today, our modern family, like many others, relies on two incomes and needs a two-car garage, essential for contemporary living. This unique hardship is specific to our mid-century neighborhood, especially our lot at the inner corner of LaBelle and Woody Lane due to its dual street yards.

Our property proudly boasts a cherished tree – one of the neighborhood's oldest and grandest, with a remarkable circumference exceeding 16’ (see 'Renderings'). This tree holds immense sentimental value and provides two beloved rope swings for neighborhood families to enjoy. Moreover, our property's unique 'cul-de-corner' design, exclusive to our neighborhood, ensures safe passage for all, with unobstructed sightlines for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists (see image).

Importantly, neither our current garage nor our proposed extension obstructs sightlines. Our variance request aligns seamlessly with the public interest, posing no threat to safety. Our majestic tree enriches our community, offering a cherished canopy for all to enjoy and enhancing our neighborhood's distinct character, while permitting the safe addition of a garage to our home.

Approving this variance would not only safeguard the historical and ecological fabric of our neighborhood while contributing to its safety and charm but also enhance the desirability of our community. It would provide a much-needed two-car garage for our family's immediate needs and for future families who may purchase our home decades from now, ensuring the property remains relevant and functional. Lastly, this expansion would increase the taxable square footage of our home, benefiting our local economy and tax base. We appreciate your time and consideration of our application of variance to a setback restriction that causes unnecessary hardship due to our exceptionally unique property.