HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-22-99 BA MinutesBOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
September 2, 1999
City Council Chambers
A meeting of the Board of Adjustment was held on September 2, 1999, with the following members
present:
Chairman Bob Harris
Board Member Alvin Cook
Board Member Lynn DeMary
Board Member Mary Jowers
Alternate Member Ed Orr
Board Members absent: Board Member Dohn LaBiche
Alternate Member Lamar Roach
Alternate Member Joe Ashy
Alternate Member Georgine Guillory
Also present: Stephen Richardson, Planning Director; Tyrone Cooper, First
Assistant City Attorney; Adina Abshire, Planning Technician,
and Nancy Nicholas, Recording Secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Board Member Cook made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 5, 1999 meeting.
Board Member DeMary seconded the motion and the motion carried.
SWEARING IN OF WITNESSES
PUBLIC HEARING
1) File 428-BA: A request for a special exception allowed under Sec. 30-37 from Sec. 30-28
requesting ten additional feet in height for an advertising sign.
Location:3185 French Road, also known as 3625 Eastex Freeway
Applicant: Maddison Dual Fuels, Inc. (MDF, Inc.)
Note: This item was withdrawn at the last meeting.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
i } September 2, 1999
Mr. Steve Richardson presented the staff report.
Maddison Dual Fuels, Inc., entered into a lease agreement wth F.B. and Zohreh Shahrodi to
erect a billboard at 3185 French road, same being 3625 Eastex Freeway. The City of
Beaumont issued a building permit on July 14, 1998, for a billboard, i.e., advertising sign. A
billboard at this location is allowed an overall height of 40 feet above the crown of the
abutting and adjacent Eastex service road.
A Ietter from Beaumont's Building Official was sent to Maddison stating that the advertising
sign as erected exceeded the allowable height of 40 feet and requested a survey which would
establish the actual height. Another letter from the City's Development Services Manager to
the sign's owners dated June 24, 1999, requested a response to the Building Official's letter.
On July 13, 1999, the Planning Division received an application for special exception as
allowed by Section 30-37 E.2.(d). "To grant an exception for ten (10) additional feet in height
for an advertising sign, when in the Board's judgement, the sign at a lower height will block
an existing sign or existing sign or structure from view or itself be blocked from view.
Afield survey was done to determine the height of the billboard and indicated the top of the
billboard to be 87.31 feet above the crown of the feeder road.
The applicant has the burden of proof that a special exception will not adversely affect the
value and use of neighboring properties or be contrary to the public interest.
Five notices were mailed to property owners. One response was received in favor and none
in opposition.
Chairman Harris asked if the height of the billboard was to the top of the billboard and if the
40' were allowed to the top of the sign. Mr. Richardson replied that it was. Chairman Harris
then asked for confirmation that the sign was 47over the allowed height. Mr. Richardson
replied the statement was true.
Slides were shown of the subject property.
Mr. Richardson asked if there were any questions for him or for the applicant. Board
Member DeMary asked if there were any obstructions from the north or south. Mr.
Richardson replied that there were no obstructions from the south, but trees were an
obstruction from the north.
Chairman Harris for asked for clarification of a special exception. Mr. Richardson explained
that this request was for a special exception and stated "the ordinance does allow for a special
exception to the ordinance for an additional ten feet to a sign." Mr. Richardson added that
a workshop will be presented regarding special exceptions.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
September 2, 1999
Chairman Harris opened the public hearing.
Board Member Mary Jowers arrived. (3:10)
Mr. Ted Solkolsky, representing the applicant, addressed the Board. He stated that the
reason the sign was built at the current height, was to raise it above the trees. He also stated
that other business signs were blocking the view.
Chairman Harris closed the public hearing.
With no further discussion, Chairman Harris asked for a motion.
Board Member Orr made a motion to deny the special exception application. Board Member
Cook seconded the motion to deny.
Chairman Harris asked for a roll call vote.
Chariman Harris - for the motion to deny
Board Member Cook - for the motion to deny
f Board Member DeMary - against the motion to deny
Board Member Jowers - for the motion to deny
Board Member Orr - for the motion to deny
The motion was approved 4 - 1 to deny the motion for a special exception.
ADJOURN
With no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.