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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/15/1983 - Regular Minutes - Zoning Board of Adjustmentsr MINUTES • CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS Zoning Board of Adjustments March 15, 19$3 7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Chairman Upham, Members MacGilvray, Wagner, Alternate Member Lindsay and Council Liaison Boughton MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairman Cook and Member Donahue STAFF PRESENT: Zoning Official Kee and Planning Technician Volk Because Chairman Cook was absent, P1r. MacGilvray made a motion for Member Upham to act as Chairman; Mr. Lindsay seconded; motion carried and Mr. Upham was named Acting Chair- man to this meeting. AGENDA ITEM N0. 1: Approval of Minutes from February 15, 19II3 Mr. Wagner made a motion to approve the minutes; Mr. MacGilvray seconded; motion carried unanimously (4-0). AGENDA line ITEP1 N0. 2: Consideration of a variance re uest to the re uired front setback able A when constructing a new building at 205-207 University Drive in the North- gate area. H ~lication is in the name of Louie alston. • The applicant, Louie Walston was sworn in, spoke of the existing building now used for a flower shop, but after construction of this new building, will be used for storage. He explained the request, stating his plans are to construct this new building in line with the existing building, citing appearance and the safety feature of availability of parking at the rear rather than in front of the new building as the reasons for his re- quest fora variance to the front setback. Mr. Upham spoke of his visit to the site stating it is his observation that to move this proposed building back to comply with the Ordi- nance would create parking in front, to be entered into directly from University Drive, ,' and because there is a utility pole in front of this lot and the fact that University Drive begins a curve at about this location, a very sharp turn from this busy street in- to the parking spaces would be necessary, and in his opinion granting this variance re- quest would be in the interest of public safety. Parking requirements for these buildings was discussed and Mrs. Kee informed the Board that proposed parking would be only adequate, according to Ordinance requirements. Possible usage of the buildings was discussed, as well as the display windows in the existing build- ing. P1r. Upham suggested that the bay windows in the existing building be eliminated at the time of new construction to create additional sidewalk space along the front of this building. Mr. Wagner asked if a one-story structure which closes up the entire front of these lots and provides rear access only had been considered. It was explained that the applicant does not own all the land behind the existing building, so this plan would not allow enough parking spaces. Mr. MacGilvray asked if an addition to a building would require the existing building to • be brought up to Ordinance requirements, and Mrs. Kee advised that this would not be an addition to an existing building, but rather a new, separate building on a different lot, and therefore would not fall under that Ordinance requirement. The effect of a ruling in this instance upon the moratorium set down by City Council was discussed, and Council Liaison Boughton informed the Board the moratorium only covered parking variances in Northgate, and this is not a parking variance, therefore would not fall under the moratorium. ZBA Minutes 3-15-83 page 2 • Mr. Upham asked what amount of variance is being requested, and the applicant advised the distance is approximately 10 ft., and Mr. Upham said that a surveyor should have provided an exact measurement at this point. Then Mr. Upham advised the applicant that a unanimous decision would have to be reached tonight in order to grant this variance, because there are only 4 members of the Board present at this meeting. Mr. MacGilvray then made a mofiion to authorize a variance to the minimum setback (Table A) from the terms of this ordinance as it will not be contrary to the public interest, due to the following unique and special conditions of the land not normally found in like dis- tricts: (1)continuity of the front line of this building conforms with adjacent proper- ties, and (2)parking in front of the proposed building could create a traffic hazard, and because a strict enforcement of the provisions of the Ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship, and such that the spirit of this Ordinance shall be observed and substantial justice done, and with the following special conditions: the variance is for a maximum of 10 ft. or enough to a11ow the front of this building to be in line with the adjacent struc- ture. Mr. Lindsay seconded the motion which carried unanimously (4-0). AGENDA ITEM N0. 3: Other Business Mrs. Kee referred to her memo to the Board which is included in their packets and dis- cussion followed concerning the arrival at a definition for "duplex", "kitchen" and "accessory structure" at a later time when the definition section of the ordinance is revised or when the sign ordinance is amended. Mr. MacGilvray referred to the Northgate Committee meetings and commended staff, and • Shirley Volk in particular for help and participation in the meetings, and asked the re- cord to reflect his commendations; Mr. Wagner seconded this motion which carried unani- mously. (4-0) Mr. MacGilvray then announced the next Northgate Committee meeting would be on April 6th at 10:00 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church, and he wanted the City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission, staff, merchants in the area, residents and land owners to know they are invited to this meeting. He explained the purpose of this meeting will be to present the Committee's list of specific problems and possible solutions to those prob- lems to all interested parties, and to perhaps arrive at some concrete solutions to pur- sue. Mr. Wagner made a motion to adjourn; Mr. Lindsay seconded; motion carried unanimously (4-0). APPROVED: b ~a~ ack Upham, Acting Chairman ATTEST: Dian Jones, City Secretary •