HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence (6/30/2008) Matthew Robinson - Edsel Jones' request for variance-July 1, 2008 Page 1
From: Jerry Cooper<cooperl @cullums.org>
To: Matt Robinson <Mrobinson@cstx.gov>
Date: 6/28/2008 10:09 PM
Subject: Edsel Jones' request for variance-July 1, 2008
Matt,
I wish to go on record in opposition to the variance request for Edsel
Jones, 503 Old Jersey, being considered by the College Station Zoning
Board of Adjustment on July 1, 2008.
While the two-story building at the northwest corner of this lot
(Fairview at George Bush Dr.) is grandfathered as an existing condition,
the fact that it already encroaches on nearly all of the 20-foot setback
does not excuse any further additions into the setback area. It is
ironic that an even larger encroachment than the one being requested at
this time was denied in the Board's April 1, 2008 meeting, the minutes
of which are being presented for approval at this meeting.
For one thing, the claim that the structure was built in 1928 is nothing
more than a creative justification to try to sway the board. I have
photographic proof that the building did not exist in November 1929 and
am informed that it wasn't built until at least sometime in the late
1930s. In addition, there is no historical documentation that justifies
the continued existence of the two-story structure.
The building is a safety hazard because it blocks the required viewing
angle at the intersection of Fairview and George Bush Dr. Frankly, I
think it is such a hazard that I believe the city should find some way
to have it removed, even if it involves buying it and paying for its
demolition. It shouldn't be difficult to get voter approval for such
action, if necessary.
Jerry Cooper
602 Bell Street
College Station, TX 77840
696-3963
The following is excerpted from the agenda for the July 1, 2008 Zoning
Board of Adjustment meeting:
RECOMMENDATION: Denial
BACKGROUND: The subject property was platted in 1923. As part of the
George Bush Drive
widening project done in the mid 1990's, TxDOT utilized right-of-way
acquired from the subject
property in order to add additional driving lanes. This left the
structure located at 101 Fairview
encroaching into the required setbacks. A request for a variance to the
required rear setback
was heard by the Zoning Board of Adjustment on April 1st, 2008. At that
meeting the applicant
was requesting a 2'2" rear setback, which was a variance request of
17'10" to the required rear
setback of 20' feet. The ZBA voted unanimously to deny the variance
request, citing that the
mow
(6/30/2008) Matthew Robinson - Edsel Jones' request for variance-July 1, 2008 Page 2
request would be contrary to the public interest and that strict
enforcement would not result in
an unnecessary hardship. The property owner is currently proposing to
renovate and add an 8'
wide porch on the east and south side of the existing structure. The
applicant would like a
6'6" inch rear setback; thus, he is requesting a rear setback variance
of 13'6" to the required rear setback of 20' feet.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends denial for this variance request. It is staff's opinion
that the existing
conditions on the property do not prohibit or unreasonably restrict the
utilization of the property.
In addition, there are safety concerns with regards to the location of
the existing structure as it
backs up to George Bush Drive, a Major Arterial. If special conditions
do exist for the property,
they become irrelevant when life and safety issues arise.
The following is excerpted from the minutes of the April 1, 2008 Zoning
Board of Adjustment meeting:
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Public hearing, presentation, possible action and
discussion on a
variance request to the Unified Development Ordinance, Section 5.2.
Residential Dimensional
Standards regarding the rear setback requirement for 101 and 103
Fairview Avenue, remainder
of Lots 1 & 2, Block 2A, College Park Subdivision. Case# 08-00500025
Staff Planner Matt Robinson presented the staff report and told the
Board that the applicant was
requesting the variance in order to remodel the existing two-story
apartment that is encroaching into the required setbacks, therefore the
applicant is requesting a rear setback variance of 17 feet 10 inches to
the required setback of 20 feet. [MEANING the setback there would be
only 2' 2".]
Chairman Jay Goss opened the public hearing.
There was no one who spoke in favor of the variance.
Speaking in opposition of the variance request:
Jerry Cooper, 602 Bell Street, College Station, Texas
Mike Luther, 614 Welsh, College Station, Texas
All speaking before the Board were sworn in by Chairman Goss.
Chairman Goss closed the public hearing.
Mr. Richards motioned to deny the variance to the minimum setback
requirement from the terms of
the Ordinance as it will be contrary to the public interest, due to the
lack of any special conditions, and
because a strict enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance would
not result in unnecessary
hardship to this applicant, and such that the spirit of the ordinance
shall be observed and substantial
justice done. Ms. Whisenant seconded the motion, which passed unopposed
(5-0).
1
Page 1 of 1
Matthew Robinson -variance setback
From: "Jeanette McMahon"
To:
Date: 6/29/2008 11:08 AM
Subject: variance setback
CC: "Jerry Cooper"
My husband & I want to go on record in opposition to the variance setback that Edsel Jones is requesting for 503
Old Jersey. Thank you for your consideration.
David & Jeanette McMahon
600 Park Place
College Station, Texas 77840
file://C:\Documents and Settings\mrobinson\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwise\48676D24Ci... 6/30/2008
Page 1 of 1
Matthew Robinson -Variance for 101 Fairview
From: "Jeannie McCandless"
To:
Date: 6/29/2008 10:09 PM
Subject: Variance for 101 Fairview
We want to support the Staff Recommendation of"DENIAL" for the variance.
Jeannie & Charles McCandless
310 Suffolk Avenue
College Station, TX 77840-3020
314-4631
file://C:\Documents and Settings\mrobinson\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwise\4868080BCi... 6/30/2008
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TRANSMISSION VERIFICATION REPORT
TIME : 06/0512008 :5: 04
NAME .
FAX .
TEL .
SER.# : 000L5J596800
DATE,TIME 06105 15: 04
FAX NO./NAME 96963040
DLIRATION 00: 00:19
PAGE(S) 01
RESULT OK
MODE STANDARD
ECM
40139414'144
Crn of COIZ AGE STATION . .
Planning d Development Ser vItet : ... ,•;:;
1101 Texas Avenue, P.O. Box 9960
College Station, Texas 77842
Phone 979.764.3570 / Fax 979.764.3496
MEMORANDUM
•
June 5, 2008
TO: Edsel Jones, via fax 979.696.3040
FROM: Matt Robinson, Staff Planner
SUBJECT: 503 OLD JERSEY ST (VAR) —Variance Request
Staff reviewed the above-mentioned variance application as requested. Your project
has been scheduled for the next available Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) meeting
on Tuesday, July 1st, 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1101 Texas Avenue_
The agenda and staff report for your project can be accessed at the following web site
on Friday the week before the ZBA meeting.
http://www,cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=32
r�i„sem .� .L . 14_.1 ,.,.....t��.. 1i... n:i.. ..c f'` - ii_.,...-. L`•i..a:.... ...:11 ....+ ....i ...-..-f .-.:.-.Ir .-...hl;.,
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CITY OF COT i FGE STATION
Planning d Development Services
1101 Texas Avenue, P.O. Box 9960
College Station, Texas 77842
Phone 979.764.3570 / Fax 979.764.3496
MEMORANDUM
June 5, 2008
TO: Edsel Jones, via fax 979.696.3040
FROM: Matt Robinson, Staff Planner
SUBJECT: 503 OLD JERSEY ST (VAR) —Variance Request
Staff reviewed the above-mentioned variance application as requested. Your project
has been scheduled for the next available Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) meeting
on Tuesday, July 1st, 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1101 Texas Avenue.
The agenda and staff report for your project can be accessed at the following web site
on Friday the week before the ZBA meeting.
http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=32
Please note that as a courtesy the City of College Station will put out and pick up public
hearing signs prior to and following the ZBA meeting. If you have any questions or need
additional information, please call me at 979.764.3570.
pc: Case file #08-00500125