ZBA Says No to Wider Driveways for 2 Families

Saying no hardship existed, the Springfield Zoning Board of Adjustment rejected two homeowners' bids to widen their driveways at a September hearing.

The ZBA unanimously voted against separate proposals to increase driveways at 722 Kelli Lane and 81 Saxer Ave. Although property owners claimed inconveniences by the current size of driveways, the ZBA said no evidence for legal hardships existed.

Two residents from opposite ends of Springfield beseeched the ZBA to approve bids to widen driveways, thus allowing more cars to be parked on their properties.

The Rhodes family, at Kelli Lane, wanted more space to allow elderly parents to park closer to the home. The Horans, of Saxer Avenue, sought to remove cars from the street, as their cars have gotten hit by motorists.

In each case, homeowners testified that available street parking and situation of driveways proved inadequate.

On Kelli Lane, the Rhodes constantly tire of jockeying cars around and thought increasing the driveway from 18 feet to 32-feet-6-inches would remedy the area.

The Horans felt accidents—often hit-and-run—made their area unsafe. 

Each case also involved the addition of children who now drive as problems for the households.

However, the ZBA ruled that both cases presented to them lacked evidence of hardships. The property's zoning should not be altered because children grew up and bought cars, the board said. The boad also ruled that hit-and-run problems are a police enforecement matter and not a zoning hardship.

Additionally, according to the board, moving cars around is an annoyance—not a hardship.

"I'm sorry to say that car hopscotch is here and it's here to stay," ZBA member Robert Rushton said.