All the homes along Church Street, starting at Second Street, have porches covering the front door.

All except one.

Bryan Williams of 215 Church St. asked the Catasauqua Zoning Hearing Board recently for a variance that would allow him to erect a front porch at his house.

"I want to mimic the porch my neighbor has," he said in his presentation.

The problem, identified by Catasauqua Borough Zoning Officer Eugene Goldfeder, is a front-yard setback violation.

Williams requested a one-foot variance from the front yard setback requirements.

The front edge of the porch meets the requirements, but the porch roof overhang would pierce the setback plane.

The property is in a high-density residential zoning district. The front edges of full length porches align along the street.

Some homes have partial coverage of the front porch, the roofs do not extend to the porch's edge.

The board had little debate on the matter. Only two members of the board were present for the hearing.

When less than the full board is present, the applicant has the option to defer the hearing to a later date. Williams waived the right.

The board granted the variance without any conditions. With the approval, Williams can now contact the building department to get a permit to build the porch.

"I will be acting as my own contractor," he said.