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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/17/1994 - Regular Minutes - Zoning Board of Adjustments • MINUTES Zoning Board of Adjustment CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS May 17, 1994 7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Birdwell, Members Gaston, Sawtelle, Rife and Alternate Member Poston. MEMBERS ABSENT: Member DeOtte and Alternate Members McKean and Hollas. STAFF PRESENT: Planning Technician Thomas, Staff Planner Kuenzel, Staff Planner Dunn and Assistant City Attorney Shively. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call to order -explanation of functions of the Board Chairman Birdwell called the meeting to order and explained the functions and limitations of the Board. AGENDA TFEM NO. 2: Approval of minutes from the meeting of Apri15, 1994. Mr. Rife moved to approve the minutes from the meeting of April 5, 1994 as written. Mr. Sawtelle seconded the motion which passed unopposed (5 - 0). AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Approval of minutes from the meeting of May 3, 1994. Mr. Sawtelle moved to approve the minutes from the meeting of May 3, 1994 as written. Mr. Gaston seconded the motion which passed unopposed (5 - 0). AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Consideration of a variance request to the side street setback requirements at 1205 Guadalupe to allow for the addition to an existing garage. Staff Planner Kuenzel presented the staff report for a variance to the side street setback requirements for a garage facing a side street. The applicant is proposing a 13' setback instead of the required 20' for a garage that faces a side street for a total variance of 7'. The existing garage does not meet the current 20' setback requirement. The applicant argues that the garage was most likely built in its current location in an effort to save three large oak trees on the property. The applicant claims that the garage location and the angle at which it was built is an inherited hardship. According to the most recent survey, there is room on the south side of the garage between the house and garage to extend the garage. On July 7, 1987, the Board granted a 9' setback instead of the required 15' setback to allow a garage to be extended for the property at the corner of Lee and George Bush. The special conditions in that case were, "There exists an unclaimed strip of land between the existing right-of-way and the existing lot line, and such strip is maintained by the applicant (the Board member was referring to old Jersey right-of-way)". The hardship in that particular case was cited as, "Alternate locations would require access to Jersey and a curb cut cannot be had". Twenty-two surrounding property owners were notified with no response. Chairman Birdwell opened the public hearing. ~_ Applicant Christopher Bailey approached the Board and was sworn in by Chairman Birdwell. Mr. Bailey presented several slides of the subject property and surrounding neighborhood supporting his variance request. He stated that the proposed garage • addition will be built_ on an existing concrete slab and one corner of that slab will extend approximately 1' to 2' over the 15' building line. The variance is necessary for. the garage addition to maintain visual harmony with the existing garage and in order to preserve three 100 plus year old oak trees which have since died, the existing garage was not built parallel to Langford Street. Mr. Bailey stated that meeting the ordinance requirements will unnecessarily complicate the construction of the garage addition, not provide enough space to house a boat without crossing a utility easement and detract from the appearance of the existing home. Additional reasons for granting the variance include the existing garage is located 33' from Langford Street at its closest point, other garages on Langford Street are within 30' of the street and Mr. Bailey stated that he had no control over the original contractor who built the garage at an angle relative to Langford Street. Mr. Bailey concluded that the variance request will improve the appearance of the existing garage and property by providing visual harmony with Langford Street and provide a cover for a boat. Bill Schroeder of 2001 Langford approached the Commission and was sworn in by Chairman Birdwell. He stated that he owns the home located directly across Langford Street from the subject property and will be most effected by the proposed addition. Mr. Schroeder stated that he is not opposed to the proposed addition and would prefer to see the garage addition instead of the existing wood privacy fence. Chairman Birdwell closed the public hearing. Mr. Gaston moved to authorize a variance to Section 15, Ordinance Number 1638, the minimum setback requirements from the terms of this ordinance as it will not be contrary to the public interest, due to the following special conditions: substantial • existing `public utility and drainage easement, the existing garage was built under a previous ordinance requirement, and the other garages in the area are built closer to the street; and because a strict enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship to this applicant being: the only other place to expand storage is in the front that is not desirable; and such that the spirit of this ordinance shall be observed and substantial justice done subject to the following limitation: the proposed addition must match the existing garage. Mr. Rife seconded the motion which passed unopposed (5 - 0). AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Other business. Staff Planner Kuenzel informed the Board that the variance request case regarding duplex development along Cooner Street can be built without a variance granted by the Board as long as rear parking is provided. The applicant is now exploring the possibilities of providing rear parking and reducing the front setback requirement. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Adjourn. Mr. Gaston moved to adjourn the meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mr. Sawtelle seconded the motion which passed unopposed (5 - 0). • A Planning echnician, Natalie Thomas APPRO i hairman, Dick Birdwell ZBA Minutes May 16, 1994 Page 2 of 2 Zoning Board of Adjustment Guest Register • Date f Name Address 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. • 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. ZONING BOARD OF ADjUSTNiEN'P FORMAT FOR POSITIVE MOTION Variance from Section 15, Ordinance Number 1638. ,' I move to authorize a variance to the yard (Section 8.7) lot width (Table A) depth (Table A) minimum setback parking requirements (Section 9) from the terms of this ordinance as it will not be contrary to the public interest, due to the following special conditions: ~~ -~L $ !~l"~C~ and because a strict enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship to this applicant being: and such that the spirit of this ordinance shall be observed and substantial justice done subject jo the following limitations: Motion made 1 Seconded by YAHP1638.DOC Date ~ ~ ~ Voting Results ~ 'C~ Chair Signature / ,~%u°y Uri, ~~~~~,