BY LINDA BENTLEY | JULY 16, 2014
In compliance with the zoning ordinance
CAVE CREEK – The zoning ordinance only allows for construction of accessory buildings if there is an existing principal use or a building permit has been issued for that principal use. Building permits for residential accessory buildings may also be processed concurrently with the building permit for the principal use or building.
When Hans Lauridsen was interested in putting up a 10,000 square-foot warehouse on his 2.5-acre parcel on 51st Street to house additional vintage and WWII aircraft, which are part of his Lauridsen Aviation Museum collection, mostly on display at the Buckeye Airport, he was told he couldn’t have an accessory use without a principal use.
With a lot size of approximately 108,900 square feet and Desert Rural zoning, Lauridsen was allowed 10 percent lot coverage, which left him 893 square feet for a house.
According to Associate Planner Luke Kautzman, Lauridsen was statutorily ineligible for a variance to build a larger home since the condition was self-imposed.
It’s not clear if this is what council had in mind when they passed the accessory use conditions of the ordinance.
