HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence Mr. Alan Gibbs
Edelweiss Gartens Ph. 8 - Variance Request
Page 2
to enjoy the additional green area and contradicts one of the City's established goals of
encouraging developers to maximize the use of landscaping whenever possible.
3. That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare,
or injurious to other property in the area, or to the city in administering this chaper.
Response: The original intent of the wider pavement was to allow access for fire fighting
equipment in these alleys. However, during the development of the new design guidelines, the
staffs in both Bryan and College have agreed that access for fire fighting equipment is available
on the public streets in the front of these homes, just as it is for homes where there are no
alleys. Therefore, the wider alleys are not necessary for fire fighting equipment. There are no
other detriments to the public health, safety, or welfare, nor will the variance be injurious to
other property in the area.
4. That the granting of the variance will not have the effect of preventing the orderly subdivision
of other land in the area in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Response: The staff at the City of College Station has already agreed that the 12 foot wide
alley is acceptable and will be recommending its adoption to the City Council. This variance
simply allows that rule to be implemented before its formal adoption. It will not have any
negative effect on the orderly subdivision of other land in the area.
On behalf of the developer, I ask that you forward this variance request to the Planning and
Zoning Commission to be considered with the final plat for Phase 8. I also ask for your support in
approval of this variance request for the reasons outlined above. As always, I will be happy to
answer any questions you have regarding this project. Thank you.
Sincerely,
L
Kent Laza, P.E.
Project Administrator
xc: Steve Arden
Inlet McCLUh & BROWNE ENGINEERING, ,. LIRVEYING, INC.
1008 Woodcreek Drive, Suite 103 • College Station, Texas 77845
(979) 693 -3838 • Fax (979) 693 -2554 • Email: mcclurebrowne @verizon.net
June 29, 2005
Mr. Alan Gibbs
City of College Station
P.O. Box 9960
College Station, Texas 77842
Re: Edelweiss Gartens Subdivision, Phase 8 — Variance Request for Alley Widths
Dear Alan:
The developer of Edelweiss Gartens Subdivision, Phase 8 requests that a variance be granted
to the Subdivision Ordinance regarding the width of alleys in this phase. The ordinance currently
requires that paved alleys be 20 feet wide in a 24 foot right -of -way, but we are requesting that a 12
foot wide alley in a 25 foot right -of -way be allowed. The primary reason for making this request is
to take advantage of a rule that is about to be implemented by the City Council in which 12 foot wide
alleys will become the standard width. This rule change is part of an overall revision to the City's
design standards in which many changes will be made. Its approval is anticipated in the next few
weeks.
The variance process requires the Planning & Zoning Commission to find in favor of four
issues before the variance can be approved. I will attempt to address these four issues below.
1. That there are special circumstances or conditions affecting the land involved such that strict
application of the provisions of this chapter will deprive the applicant of the reasonable use
of his land.
Response: The special circumstance that will deprive the applicant of reasonable use of his
land is the impending change to the geometric design criteria. The staff's of both Bryan and
College Station, along with the local development community, have developed these new
guidelines and agreed that they are appropriate for this type of application. Strict application
of this rule will decrease the amount of area behind each home that can be used for lawns or
plantings that are common on other similar rights -of -way. It will also negatively impact the
economics of the development and give competitive advantages to other developers who are
not required to install the wider alleys following the anticipated rule change.
2. That the variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property
right of the applicant.
Response: The additional pavement width of these alleys minimizes the green space behind
the homes without any significant benefit to the public. It diminishes the ability of residents