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CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
VARIANCE REQUEST
FOR
717 UNIVERSITY DRIVE
12- 00500167
REQUEST: Height Variance to the Conical Zone for Easterwood Airport
LOCATION: 717 University Drive
APPLICANT: Dan Hrankowsky, Campus Acquisitions
PROPERTY OWNER: DRI /CA College Station, LLC
PROJECT MANAGER: Lauren A. Hovde, Staff Planner
Ihovde @cstx.gov
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval
BACKGROUND: The height of the proposed building at 717 University Drive,
located at the intersection of Church Avenue and University Drive,
will be 519 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). As planned, the
height of the building would penetrate the conical zone of
Easterwood Airport as established by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and local ordinance. The conical zone is an
area established around an airport to protect the airspace from
obstructions that may interfere with airport operations. According
to the FAA, any structure exceeding a height of 511 feet AMSL in
this particular location would intrude into the conical zone. An
appeal to this restriction was submitted to the FAA and the FAA
issued a "Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation" (see
attached). This determination stated that, "...the structure would
have no substantial adverse effect on the safe and efficient
utilization of the navigable airspace by aircraft or on the operation
of air navigation facilities."
Due to a local ordinance shared by the City of College Station,
City of Bryan, and Brazos County, the applicant is still required to
seek relief from the applicable jurisdiction. Since the proposed
structure is located within the City of College Station, the Zoning
Board of Adjustments is the appropriate body to consider the
Airport Zoning Board of Adjustments
September 4, 2012
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request of an 8 -foot variance into the conical zone to allow the
construction of a structure 519 feet AMSL at 717 University Drive.
APPLICABLE ORDINANCE: Airport Zoning Ordinance
ORDINANCE INTENT: To protect the airspace required to serve and accommodate the
operations of Easterwood Airport.
Airport Zoning Board of Adjustments
September 4, 2012
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
717 University Dr.
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Airport Zoning Board of Adjustments
September 4, 2012
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NOTIFICATIONS
Advertised Board Hearing Date: September 4, 2012
The following neighborhood organizations that are registered with the City of College Station's
Neighborhood Services have received a courtesy letter of notification of this public hearing:
None
Property owner notices mailed: Eight
Contacts in support: None
Contacts in opposition: One
Inquiry contacts: None
ZONING AND LAND USES
Direction Zoning Land Use
Subject Property NG -2 Transitional Northgate Vacant
Northeast C -U College and University Texas A &M University
Southeast C -U College and University Texas A &M University
Northwest NG -2 Transitional Northgate Taco Bell and vacant property
Southwest NG -2 Transitional Northgate Citi Bank
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
1. Frontage: The subject tract has 150 -feet of frontage along University Drive and
approximately 300 -feet of frontage on Church Avenue as it extends to the west.
2. Access: Access is permitted along Church Avenue for structured parking and a loading
dock area.
3. Topography and vegetation: The subject tract is relatively flat with no vegetation.
4. Floodplain: There is no FEMA regulated floodplain on the subject tract.
REVIEW CRITERIA
1. Hardship: A strict application of the ordinance may constitute a hardship in this case since
the request does not violate the spirit of the ordinance as described in the ordinance
language. Furthermore, the stated purpose of the ordinance is to protect the airspace
necessary for the use and operation of Easterwood Airport. Since the FAA has determined
that there is no hazard to air navigation in this case, the spirit of the local ordinance has
been fulfilled.
2. Public Interest: The requested waiver will not increase the height of the building to an
extent that is discernible by the general public, nor will it affect the future subdivision of
property in accordance with the Unified Development Ordinance. The FAA has determined
that the Easterwood Airport will not be negatively affected by the proposed intrusion into the
conical zone.
Airport Zoning Board of Adjustments
September 4, 2012
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ALTERNATIVES
The applicant did not provide any alternatives. However, it is possible to construct a building
that respects the height limit of 511 feet AMSL as established by the conical zone.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the variance request since a strict application of the ordinance
represents a hardship and the request is not contrary to public interest.
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
1. Application
2. Building Elevations (provided in packet)
3. FAA documentation
4. Copy of Airport Zoning Ordinance
Airport Zoning Board of Adjustments
September 4, 2012
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