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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-1-07 BA Minutes*MINUTES* BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT March 1, 2007 City Council Chambers A meeting of the Board of Adjustment was held on March 1, 2007 and called to order at 3:00 p.m. with the following members present: Chairman Bob Harris Vice Chairman Mary Jowers Board Member Pat Avery Board Member Dana Timaeus Alternate Member Sam Pullig Board Members absent: Board Member Joey Hilliard Alternate Member Kelli Maness Also present: Stephen Richardson, Planning Manager; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary; Adina Abshire, PIanner; Joe Sanders, First Assistant City Attorney APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice -Chairman Jowers made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2006 Meeting. Board Member Avery seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 4:0. SWEARING IN OF WITNESSES PUBLIC HEARING (Board Member Dana Timaeus arrived.) 1) File 552-BA: Request for variances to the maximum size of a sign from 40 sq. ft. to 90 sq. ft. and to the maximum height of a sign from 15' to 17.5' . Location: 3625-3695 Calder Applicant: BS & R LLC Retail Center Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The applicant, Robert James, is wishing to install a new owner identification sign at his shopping center located at 3625-3695 Calder. The property is zoned Neighborhood Commercial. Mr. James states that the current sign was built in 1968. The BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT March 1, 2007 existing sign is 160 sq. ft. in area and 30' in height. He states that due to structural problems, the sign has been reinforced twice over the years. Hurricane Rita bent the sign about ten degrees. The applicant shall have the burden of proof to demonstrate that all three conditions necessary for approval have been met. Eighteen notices were mailed to property owners within. 200 feet. One response in favor and none in opposition were returned. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Harris opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. Robert James, the applicant, addressed the Board and answered questions. Chairman Harris 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 Pullig made a motion to approve variances to the maximum size of a sign from 40 sq. ft. to 90 sq. ft. and to the maximum height of a sign from 15' to 16' at 3625-3695 Calder as requested in File 552-BA. Board Member Jowers seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 5:0. 2) File 553-BA: Request for a variance to the minimum driveway opening setback at a street intersection from 30' to 18' 8". Location: 1779 Calder Applicant: Tom Broussard Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. Broussard's Mortuary is remodeling the old L.M. Williams Funeral Home for use as the new Broussard's Family Center. The building will house the corporate office of Broussard's Mortuary and a meeting facility with rooms available to rent for parties, meetings and corporate gatherings. Dohn LaBiche, the architect for the project, states that due to the nature of the public meeting facility, there is a need for vehicular access near the front door for weddings and other ceremonial purposes. They propose to add a new drive parallel to Calder along the front of the building. They will provide removable traffic bollards at the 2iid Street entrance that would block traffic except for ceremonial requirements when a vehicle is required at the front door entrance. Tom Warner, Public Works Director, is in agreement with the placing of the traffic bollards at the 2' Street entrance except when the drive is being used for an event. �- 2 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT March 1, 2007 Mr. LaBiche states that the close proximity of the building to Calder does not allow for a wide enough drive if the entrance was placed 30' from the corner. The building is 35' from the street. The applicant shall have the burden of proof to demonstrate that all three conditions necessary for approval have been met. Twelve notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. One response in opposition and one in favor were returned. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Harris opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. Dohn LaBiche, architect for the proposed project, addressed the Board. Tom Broussard, the applicant, addressed the Board. Chairman Harris asked for comments in favor or in opposition. George Bullington, 1822 Broadway, addressed the Board in opposition to the request. Mr. Bullington feels that the proposed driveway is for convenience and not a necessity. Rebuttal by Tom Broussard. The public hearing was closed. Discussion followed between the Board members. Board Member Jowers made a motion to approve a variance to the minimum driveway opening setback at a street intersection from 30' to 18' 8" at 1779 Calder as requested in File 553-BA. Board Member Pullig seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 4:1. OTHER BUSINESS THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 3:37 P. M.