HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report STAFF REPORT
Project Manager: Crissy Hartl Report Date: November 29, 2005
Email: chartl(c�cstx.gov Meeting Date: December 6, 2005
APPLICANT: Tres Watson
REQUEST: Setback variance
LOCATION: 1208 Walton Drive
PURPOSE: To allow for the construction of a carport.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Status of Applicant: Property owner
Applicable
Ordinance Section: UDO Section 5.2 Residential Dimensional Standards
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Zoning and Land Use
Subject Property: The subject property, as well as the properties to the
north, east, south and west, is zoned R-1 Single
Family Residential and is used for Single Family
Residential.
Frontage: 104.01' on Walton Drive
Access: Site plan identified access via Walton Drive.
Topography &
Vegetation: Relatively flat with some vegetation and several trees.
Flood Plain: Not within a floodplain.
VARIANCE INFORMATION
Background: The applicant would like to construct 2-vehicle carport
27.5' in width on the side of his house, thus the
applicant is requesting a 4.5' variance to the side
setback.
ANALYSIS
Special Conditions: The applicant states: "The request is made due to the
location of mature live oak trees located along the
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inside and at the end of the existing driveway and
parking area."
Hardships: The applicant states: "Due to the location of the trees,
the carport and driveway cannot be moved without
removal or possible damage to the trees."
Alternatives: The Board may grant a lesser variance.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends denial for this variance request.
The applicant states that the trees on his property are
a hardship that restricts the construction of a 2-
vehicle carport. While the trees along the driveway
are a constraint, they are not perceived to be a
hardship for the carport. In staff's opinion, it is more
of a hardship for the applicant to relocate the
driveway that is not necessary for the construction of
the carport; therefore, it is staff's opinion that this
would be a self-inflicted hardship. In addition, the City
of College Station does not consider the ash tree to
be a specimen tree and therefore does not award
development projects landscaping points for those
trees.
Additionally, it is the opinion of staff that the variance
is not necessary for the preservation and enjoyment
of a substantial property right of the applicant, nor do
extraordinary or special conditions affect the subject
property such that a strict application of City codes
and/or ordinances deprives an applicant reasonable
use of his or her property.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
Ordinance Intent: Building setback requirements usually allow for some
degree of control over population density, access to
light and air, and fire protection. These standards are
typically justified on the basis of the protection of
property values. The Board must determine if the
intent of the ordinance is met by the request and
should ensure that the request is reasonable based
on the special conditions and hardships.
Number of Property
Owners Notified: 19
Responses Received: 4 inquiry phone calls and 2 letters of support
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ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map
2. Aerial Map
3. Application
4. Site Plan
5. Letters of Support
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