A property owner on North Mulberry Street has approached the Mount Vernon Board of Zoning Appeals with a request for variances that would allow him to construct a duplex on an empty lot. The requested variances pertain to the setback, minimum size per unit, and the requirement for a garage or covering as stipulated by the Zoning Code.

According to the Board of Zoning Appeals April 3 meeting agenda, Beaux Hord stated in his application, "The lot is extremely narrow, which is causing setback and coverage issues. The design of the building is value-engineered to give us the best value for the dollar to keep rent at affordable prices. If we were to change square footage or footprint we would be removing open area for the renter."

As per the same meeting agenda, Hord's plan for the duplex includes two units of 864 square feet each. The current Zoning Code mandates 4,500 square feet of land per unit. However, with a total area of 8,712 square feet, Hord's lot falls short by 288 square feet. Furthermore, city regulations require one covered space or garage per unit. Hord stated that he had designed more than two parking spaces for his property and covering them would not only reduce lot size but also inflate construction costs and subsequently increase rent.

The Board of Zoning Appeals April 3 meeting agenda also revealed that Hord's proposed duplex design features each unit as a two-bedroom, one-bath home with an open front room spanning across the width of the unit to accommodate kitchen and family rooms.