Upper Saucon Zoning Hearing Board Grants Two Waivers

The Upper Saucon Zoning Hearing Board has approved variances for a rear deck and a front-yard shed at two different houses.

Jason Marques, 4615 Jasmine Drive, approached the board for a variance to build a deck onto the rear of his house. 

He now has a second-story door leading to the outside, he said.  It is blocked by a gate to prevent anyone from opening it and falling to the outside. 

Marques is planning to erect a cantilever-type deck, but needs a variance from the setback requirements in order to make the proposed 14-foot-by 20-foot deck usable.  There will be no stairs leading to ground level, he told the board at its June 13 meeting.

The board granted the variance, with the following conditions: 

• The height must be a minimum of 8 feet 6 inches from the ground.
• There can be access only from the second story.

Another appeal -- by Joseph Stephens, 4079 W. Hopewell Road -- requested a variance to put a shed in the front yard. 

His house sits in a self-described "unique" position on a corner of the property.  Because both a pool and patio take up a large portion of the small back yard, Stephens does not have ample space for the proposed 10-foot-by-12-foot shed.

He provided board members with numerous photographs, telling them neighbors on either side of his property have no objections to placing the shed in front of the house.

After some discussion, the board unanimously approved the waiver.