HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/03/2014 - Regular Agenda Packet - Zoning Board of Adjustments
Zoning Board of Adjustment
June 3, 2014
6:00 P.M.
Regular Meeting
City Hall
Council Chambers
1101 Texas Avenue,
College Station, Texas
AGENDA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers
1101 Texas Avenue
College Station, Texas 77840
1. Call to order – Explanation of functions of the Board.
2. Consideration of absence requests.
Jim Davis ~ June 3, 2014
3. Discussion of approved Administrative Adjustments.
14-86 (AA) Aloft Hotel; 1150 University Dr. E.; Reduction of parking spaces (KMS)
14-87 through 14-100 (AA) 3012, 3013, 3014, 3015, 3016, 3017, 3018, 3019, 3020,
3021, 3023, 3101, 3107, and 3109 Papa Bear Dr.; Increase of driveway width (PAZ)
14-101 (AA) 511 University Dr. E.; Reduction of parking spaces (KMS)
14-104 (AA) Southwest Crossing Retail Center; 1301 Wellborn Rd.; Reduction of
parking spaces (KMS)
4. Consideration, possible action and discussion to approve meeting minutes.
April 1, 2014
5. Public hearing, presentation, possible action, and discussion to consider a building setback variance
for Lot 15 & the adjacent Northwest ½ of Lot 16, Block 3, Oakwood Addition, generally located at
127 Lee Avenue which is zoned GS – General Suburban. Case # 14-900070 (PAZ)
6. Consideration and possible action on future agenda items – A Zoning Board Member may inquire
about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific factual information or
the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place
the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting.
7. Adjourn.
Consultation with Attorney {Gov’t Code Section 551.071; possible action.
The Zoning Board of Adjustments may seek advice from its attorney regarding a pending and contemplated
litigation subject or attorney-client privileged information. After executive session discussion, any final action or
vote taken will be in public. If litigation or attorney-client privileged information issues arise as to the posted
subject matter of this Zoning Board of Adjustments meeting, an executive session will be held.
Notice is hereby given that a Regular Meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment of College
Station, Texas will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council
Chambers, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas. The following subjects will be discussed, to
wit: See Agenda
Posted this the_____day of__________, 2014 at______p.m.
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
By _____________________________
Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary
By _____________________________
Kelly Templin, City Manager
I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that the above Notice of Regular Meeting of the Zoning Board
of Adjustment of the City of College Station, Texas, is a true and correct copy of said Notice and
that I posted a true and correct copy of said notice on the bulletin board at City Hall, 1101 Texas
Avenue, in College Station, Texas, and the City’s website, www.cstx.gov. The Agenda and Notice
are readily accessible to the general public at all times. Said Notice and Agenda were posted
on___________________p.m. and remained so posted continuously for at least 72 hours proceeding
the scheduled time of said meeting.
This public notice was removed from the official posting board at the College Station City Hall on
the following date and time: ______________________ by _________________________.
Dated this _____ day of____________, 2014.
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
By_____________________________
Subscribed and sworn to before me on this the _____ day of_______________, 2014.
______________________________
Notary Public- Brazos County, Texas
My commission expires:_________________
This building is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for
sign interpretive service must be made 48 hours before the meeting. To make arrangements call
979.764.3517 or (TDD) 800.735.2989. Agendas may be viewed on www.cstx.gov.
Absence Request Form
For Elected and Appointed Officers
Name Jim Davis
Request Submitted on May 12, 2014
I will not be in attendance at the meeting of June 3, 2014
for the reason(s) specified: (Date)
Out of the country.
Via e-mail - DGR
M I N U T E S
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Regular Meeting
April 1, 2014
Administrative Conference Room
1101 Texas Avenue
6:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Hunter Goodwin, Jim Davis, Johnny Burns, Rick Floyd,
Alternate Carol Fountain
MEMBERS ABSENT: David Ohendalski
STAFF PRESENT: Staff Assistant Deborah Grace-Rosier, Staff Planner Teresa Rogers,
Principal Planner Jason Schubert, Assistant City Attorney John Haislet
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call to order – Explanation of functions of the Board.
Chairman Goodwin called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Consideration of absence requests.
David Ohendalski ~ April 1, 2014
Board Member Davis motioned to approve the absence request. Board Member Burns seconded the
motion, which passed (5-0).
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Discussion of requested Administrative Adjustments.
14-16 (AA) Park Plaza; 2501 Texas Ave. S.; 10% decrease in off-street parking (PAZ)
14-26 (AA) Copper Falls Executive Suites; 3202 Earl Rudder Freeway S.; 2.5-foot
reduction to 25-foot front setback for a carport (MTH)
14-34 (AA) 1121 Phoenix St.; 1-foot reduction to 20-foot rear setback (MTH)
14-35 (AA) 109 & 111 Southland St.; 15-inch reduction to the 40-depth for two parking
spaces (PAZ)
There was no discussion.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Consideration, possible action and discussion to approve meeting
minutes.
January 7, 2014
March 19, 2014
Board Member Burns made the motion to approve the minutes with one change to the March 19
meeting minutes. The correction to the time that the meeting took place was corrected from 12:00 PM
to 11:00 AM. Board Member Davis seconded the motion, which passed (5-0).
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Public hearing, presentation, possible action, and discussion to
consider a side setback variance to the Unified Development Ordinance, Section 12-5.2-
Residential Dimensional Standards, for Castle Rock Subdivision Phase 1C, Block 6, Lot 20
located at 4103 Rocky Creek Trail, which is zoned PDD – Planned District Development.
Staff Planner Teresa Rogers presented the staff report and stated that the applicant is requesting a 2.8-
foot variance to the 5-foot side building setback. She ended her staff report by saying that staff is
recommending denial due to the fact that there is no special condition or hardship, but rather the result
of the applicants error.
There was general discussions amongst the Board.
Chairman Goodwin opened the public hearing.
Glenn Thomas, 1110 12th Man, College Station, Tx, stepped before the Board and was sworn in by
Chairman Goodwin. Mr. Thomas spoke in favor of the request.
There was general discussions amongst the Board.
Chairman Goodwin closed the public hearing.
Board Member Floyd motioned to accept staff recommendation for discussion purposes only. Board
Member Fountain seconded the motion.
There was general discussions amongst the Board.
Board Member Floyd amended his motion for approval of the variance request due to the special
condition: was caused by the relocation of the front right survey pin and it was not the action of the
builder; and hardship being: depriving the builder from reasonable use of his land due to the house
encroaching into the setback causing title conveyance issues. Board Member Fountain seconded the
motion, which passed (4-1). Board Member Davis voting against.
AGENDA ITEM NO.6 : Consideration and possible action on future agenda items – A Zoning
Board Member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of
specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation
shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting.
There were no items discussed.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Adjourn.
Board Member Floyd motioned to adjourn. Board Member Fountain seconded the motion. The
meeting was adjourned at 6:51.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
_________________________________ _________________________________
Deborah Grace-Rosier, Staff Assistant Hunter Goodwin, Chairman
Zoning Board of Adjustment Page 1 of 6
June 3, 2014
VARIANCE REQUEST
FOR
127 Lee Avenue
14-900070
REQUEST: A variance to Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Section 12-
7.2.D, Required Setbacks, to allow a 7.25-foot variance to the
required contextual front setback of 45 feet.
LOCATION: 127 Lee Avenue
Oakwood Addition Lot 15 & northwest ½ of Lot 16, Block 3
APPLICANT: William M. & Deborah Griffin, Property Owners
PROPERTY OWNERS: William M. & Deborah Griffin
PROJECT MANAGER: Jenifer Paz, Staff Planner
jpaz@cstx.gov
BACKGROUND: The subject property is located in the South Oakwood Subdivision
and is zoned GS General Suburban, which allows for single-family residential uses. The
property was originally platted in 1943 and is designated Neighborhood Conservation on the
Comprehensive Land Use Plan. In 2007, the home was demolished and the property is
currently vacant. The applicant is requesting to build a new single-family home setback at the
same distance as the previous home, 37.75 feet, from the property line. This property is subject
to the contextual setbacks. The subject lot is adjacent to two single-family homes, where the
home closest at 125 Lee Avenue is setback at 45 feet and the home at 201 Lee Avenue is
setback approximately 63 feet. Therefore, the applicant is requesting to encroachment of 7.25
feet into the required 45-foot contextual setback.
APPLICABLE ORDINANCE SECTION: UDO Section 12-7.2.D.1.e, Required Yards (Setbacks),
Purpose & Intent
ORDINANCE INTENT: In order to preserve the character of the older neighborhoods, the
contextual front setback is intended for new construction to better integrate in established
neighborhoods by having the home placed no closer or further back than the two adjacent
homes.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending approval of the request to reduce the required
front contextual setback to 37.75 feet due to the lot size.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Page 2 of 6
June 3, 2014
Zoning Board of Adjustment Page 3 of 6
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Zoning Board of Adjustment Page 4 of 6
June 3, 2014
NOTIFICATIONS
Advertised Board Hearing Date: June 3, 2014
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:
Oakwood HOA
Property owner notices mailed: 16
Contacts in support: 0
Contacts in opposition: 0
Inquiry contacts: 6 at the time of this report
ZONING AND LAND USES
Direction Zoning Land Use
Subject Property GS General Suburban Vacant
North GS General Suburban Single-Family Residential
South GS General Suburban Single-Family Residential
East GS General Suburban Single-Family Residential
West (across Lee
Ave.) GS General Suburban Single-Family Residential
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
1. Frontage: The property has approximately 74.52 feet of frontage to Lee Avenue.
2. Access: The property is currently accessed from Lee Avenue.
3. Topography and vegetation: The property has small caliper trees on the perimeter and is
relatively flat.
4. Floodplain: The subject property is not located within FEMA regulated floodplain.
REVIEW CRITERIA
1. Extraordinary conditions: That there are extraordinary or special conditions affecting the
land involved such that strict application of the provisions of the UDO will deprive the
applicant of the reasonable use of his land.
The subject property has approximately 74.52 feet of frontage to Lee Avenue, while the
surrounding lots along Lee Avenue have much wider frontages allowing for more buildable
area. The property to the north (125 Lee Avenue) has approximately 117 feet of frontage
and the property to the south (201 Lee Avenue) has approximately 98 feet of frontage.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Page 5 of 6
June 3, 2014
2. Enjoyment of a substantial property right: That the variance is necessary for the
preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant.
Given the size of the property, the variance is necessary in order to allow for the buildable
area typical in the neighborhood. Granting of the variance would not alter the character of
the neighborhood or original character of the property.
3. Substantial detriment: 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 UDO.
Granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public, health, safety, or welfare, or
injurious to other property in the area, or the to the City in administering this UDO because
the request is to place a new home where the previous home was once built to, which
exceeds the minimum front setback in new single-family subdivisions.
4. Subdivision: That the granting of the variance will not have the effect of preventing the
orderly subdivision of land in the area in accordance with the provisions of this UDO.
The granting of the variance will not have the effect of preventing the orderly subdivision of
land in the area in accordance with the provisions of the UDO because the subject and
surrounding properties cannot be further subdivided unless they comply with the subdivision
regulations.
5. Flood hazard protection: That the granting of the variance will not have the effect of
preventing flood hazard protection in accordance with Article 8, Subdivision Design and
Improvements.
The granting of this variance will not have the effect of preventing flood hazard protection in
accordance with Article 8, Subdivision Design and Improvements due to no portion of this
property being located within floodplain.
6. Other property: That these conditions do not generally apply to other property in the
vicinity.
The contextual front setback is applicable to other property in the vicinity. Currently, there
are no vacant properties of similar size in this area.
7. Hardships: That the hardship is not the result of the applicant’s own actions.
The subject property and surrounding neighborhood was developed between the 1940s-
1950s when the front setback requirements were no less than 20% of the lot depth
(Ordinance No. 38).The original setback of the subject lot conformed with the setbacks of
the time and built closer to the street than the two adjacent properties.
8. Comprehensive Plan: That the granting of the variance would not substantially conflict with
the Comprehensive Plan and the purposes of this UDO.
The granting of this variance does not substantially conflict with the Comprehensive Plan
and the purposes of the UDO. The request is to place the new home at the same setback as
the previous home, which preserve the character of the neighborhood.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Page 6 of 6
June 3, 2014
9. Utilization: That because of these conditions, the application of the UDO to the particular
piece of property would effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict the utilization of the
property.
The application of the UDO standards to this particular property does not prohibit the
applicant in the utilization of their property. The setback does restrict the applicant from
utilizing a large portion of the property.
ALTERNATIVES
The applicant has not proposed any alternatives to the granting of the variance request.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending approval of the request to reduce the required front contextual setback to
37.75 feet due to the lot size.
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
1. Application & Background Information