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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-7-08 BA Minutes*MINUTES* BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT August 7, 2008 City Council Chambers A meeting of the Board of Adjustment was held on August 7, 2008 and called to order at 3:00 p.m. with the following members present: Chairperson Pat Avery Vice Chairman Dana Timaeus Board Member Bob Harris Board Member Mary Jowers Board Members absent: Board Member Joey Hilliard Alternate Member Kelli Maness Also present: Steve Richardson, Planning Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary; Janett Lewis, Housing Manager APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board Member Harris made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2008 Regular Meeting. Board Member Jowers seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 4:0. SWEARING IN OF WITNESSES PUBLIC HEARING 1) File 575-BA: Request for a special exception to the minimum front yard setback from 25' to 19' Location: 2369 Liberty Applicant: Alma Hernandez Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The applicant, Alma Hernandez, wants to construct a 15' x 33' addition to the west side of her house. The proposed extension will line up with the front of the house. Because the property is in the Oaks Historic District, a certificate of appropriateness was required and that was approved by the Historic Landmark Commission in July. The Zoning Ordinance states that the Board of Adjustment may grant a special exception where the actual front yard of an abutting lot does not meet the front yard requirement. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT August 7, 2008 The subject property is set back approximately 187". The house to the left is approximately 21' while the house to the right is approximately 27' from the front property line. Thirty-four notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. No notices in favor or in opposition were returned. Mr. Richardson distributed photos of the subject property. The applicant shall have the burden to demonstrate that all three conditions necessary for approval have been met. Chairperson Avery opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. Alma Hernandez, the applicant, addressed the Board. Chairperson Avery asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. The public hearing was closed. Discussion between the Board members followed. Board Member Harris made a motion to approve a special exception to the minimum front yard setback from 25' to 19' at 2369 Liberty as requested in File 575-BA. Board Member Jowers seconded the motion. The motion to approve carried 4:0. 2) File 576-BA: Request for variances to the minimum front yard setback from 25' to 15' and to the minimum rear yard setback from15' to 75. Location: 715 Doucette Applicant: City of Beaumont Housing Services Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. Janett Lewis, City of Beaumont Housing Manager, states that the existing house at 715 Doucette was severely damaged during Hurricane Rita. The owner of the house has received assistance from the City of Beaumont's Rita Recovery Program. Because the cost of repair exceeds the maximum limit, the house is to be demolished and then reconstructed. The dimensions of the lot are 43' x 62.1' . The Iot is grandfathered. In addition, since the lot existed prior to the adoption of the 1981 Zoning Ordinance, the rear yard can be reduced to 10' . The applicant shall have the burden of proof to demonstrate that all three conditions necessary for approval have been met. Thirty-nine notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. No responses in favor or in opposition were returned. Mr. Richardson distributed photos of the subject property. 2 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT August 7, 2008 Chairperson Avery opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. Janett Lewis, Housing Manager for the City, addressed the Board. Chairperson Avery asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. The public hearing was closed. Board Member Timaeus made a motion to approve variances to the minimum front yard setback from 25' to 15' and to the minimum rear yard setback froml5' to 7.5' for the property at 715 Doucette as requested in File 576-BA. Board Member Jowers seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 4:0. 3) File 577-BA: Request for a variance to the screening requirement to allow the deletion of 180' of an 8' tall wood screening fence. Location: South of Dishman and west of Major Applicant: Scott Standridge Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. A new Social Security office is being constructed on the subject property. The Zoning Ordinance states that whenever commercial property is developed and abuts residentially zoned property, an 8' tall wood screening fence is required. The property abuts an approximately 52' wide DD#6 drainage ditch that is zoned RS. West of the ditch are the DD#6 detention ponds and soccer fields. The applicant shall have the burden of proof that all three conditions necessary for approval have been met. Eight notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. Four notices in favor and none in opposition were returned. Chairperson Avery opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. Dale StimpeI addressed the Board on behalf of Scott Standridge, the applicant. Chairperson Avery asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. The public hearing was closed. Board Member Harris made a motion to approve a variance to the screening requirement to allow the deletion of 180' of an 8' tall wood screening fence for the property located south of Dishman and west of Major Drive as requested in File 577-BA. Board Member Jowers seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 4:0. OTHER BUSINESS THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:22 P.M. 3