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HomeMy WebLinkAbout329-BASTAFF . REPORT CASE 746 r BA DATE: November 23, 1987 TO: BOARD OF ADJUSUMM FROM: Planning Division/Commmity Development i- •. w REQUESTED ACTION: Consider a variance to reduce the, required front yard of a residential lot from 25-ft. to 9-ft. at 3340 S. P. Road at Southerland. The staff reconmends the variance be granted because: Granting the variance will not be contrary to the public interest; Literal enforcement of the Ordinance will result in an unnecessary hardship due to the irregular shape of the applicant's tract; and, By granting the variance, the spirit of the Ordinance will be observed and substantial justice will be done. • rA The applicants, Freddie L. and Cheryl S. Owens are the owners and operators of Little Angels Nursery, a child care facility located at the corner of S. P. Road and Southerland Street. Their building, a previous residence, is situated on an irregular shaped tract with principle frontage on Southerland, although the structure fronts and is addressed on S. P. Road. The existing building was constructed nine (9) feet north of the property line on Southerland. The Zoning ordinance requires a 25 foot setback, therefore the applicant is requesting this variance to reduce the 25 foot setback to 9 feet to match the existing building. The Owen's hired a contractor to build a 1.4' x 2418" addition to the west or rear part of the building. The contractor made the addition line up with the south wall of the existing Structure. He failed to obtain the City's review and did not obtain a building permit. The applicant is asking the Board to allow the added construction which, in effect, is a nine foot setback from the legally defined front yard but a side yard to the building. The property is fenced. Applicant letter is attached to this report. VARIANCE APPLICATION FORM BEAUMONT2 TEXAS The Board of Adjustment has the power to grant variances where the following listed conditions have been met. Indicate how your application meets each of these conditions In the space following each condition. (The applicant has the burden of proof to demonstrate that all three of the conditions necessary for a variance have been met). Except as otherwise prohibited, the Board is empowered to authorize a variance from a requirement of the Zoning Ordinance when the Board finds that all of the following conditions have been met: CONDITION A: That the granting of the variance will not be contrary to the public interest. This addition poses no health, fire or safety problems to the public or neighbors. CONDITION B: That literal enforcement of the ordinance will result in un- necessary hardship because of exceptional narrowness, shallowness, shape topography or other extraordinary or exceptional physical situation or physical condition unique to the specific piece of property in question. "Unnecessary hardship" shall mean physical hardship relating to the property Itself as distinguished from a hardship relating to convenience, financial considerations or caprice, and the hardship must not result from the applicant or owner's own actions. This lot is traingle shape which is exceptional narrow and and shallow. This addition was added to meet minimum standards for operating a day care. (letter attached) CONDITION C: That by granting the variance, the spirit of the o I rdinance will be observed and substantial justice will be done. This addition blocks no drive ways, through ways. Does not interfere with public parking and is the only house facing west on souLherland street. All other houses face Harriot Street. The addition faces only neighbors back yards I HEREBY ATTEST THAT, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, MY REQUEST MEETS THE CONDITIONS STATED ABOVE. Applihant's signature: Date: 0 (J� _2PAttle <:-,4nqz& <--Nurtlelty State Licensed Meals - Snacks • Transportation 3340 S. P. Road & Harriot - Beaumont, Texas 77705 , (713) 832-8914, 842-3684 October 12, 1987 Dear. Board Of Adjustments, I hired Edward Falgout of Construction Enterprises, to add a room to my existing day care. I asked him for references, which lie gave me. His references checked out fine. In checking his references, Wiener's Department Store told me the managment was pleased with his work. The two other references told me lie did good work: and there were no problems. The Better Business Bureau said lie had no record with them. This meant he had no complaints, or his company was too new. He started the job, but did riot finish. I was unable to reach him. In my efforts to hire another contractor, I learned not only did Edward Falgout not apply for a permit, he built the room 11 511 to close to the fence in the back and 11 more than it should have been on one side. In adding this addition, it was not my intentions in any way, not to abide by the city codes. Being a person with very limited knowledge about adding additions, I relied on my contractor to excute his knowledge and skills. Just as I would a doctor, lawyer, plumber or any person, lincense or skilled in their profession. Parents expect me to know and understand the operations, laws and minimum standards of day care, and carry them out responsibly. I expected as much from Edward Falgout. At the same time, it is obvious, that I am not relieved of the responsibility of Edward Falgout act- ions. At the same time it is not unreasonably, to expect a lincense, bonded contractor to apply for a permit and build according to the codes of the premit# 4 Standard 7300, page 29 states; There must be a lavatory in the infants area on August 26, 1987. 1 was not able to get a (wavier) but recived a (letter) on conditions of the infants lavatory. (letter attached). The letter states because I have accessibility to a lavatory, I would not need a lavatory in the infants area. At the same time the letter states, be incompliance, with the standard 2300, pg. 10, no.10 for supervision. This means when the infant's teacher must leave her room to wash up after diaper changes, wash up infants, sanitize changing pad etc. I must leave my class unsupervise, to supervise the infants. Leaving my class-UnSu-Pe 'vise for even a short time is an noncompliance. The walls that separate my class room also was not incompliance. According to the space needed for each child. If you will look at the drawings, YOU will see 14 what I did to correct the problem. The arrangments of the doors and walls that separate rooms, make it impossible to supervise all the space my class must use at one time. Standard 3100, no. I states: Each child must have 30 square feet of indoor activity space. By moving all learning centers into one room, I can supervise both the learning centers and art room at the same time. All children will be in the music room or class room at one time, for group activities. These plans will meet all standars for an infants lavatory and super- vision. If I am to continue operations I must upgrade my day care to meet minimum standards. I The letter of August 26, 1987 is the results of a waiver I was not able to get. At this point I was faced with the choice of not caring for children, adding an addition or purchase another building, which I could not afford. This addition was added in good faith to meet minimum standards and provide quality care. Standard 3100, no 2, states': Their must be 80 square feet of outdoor space for each child. If this addition was constructed in any other way, it would reduce my playground to a long narrow strip. This type of playground would not meet standards. This addition poses no threat to the cummunity. There are no fire, health or safety hazards. There is no inconveniences to the public, block drive ways, alley ways or crowing of other lots. There are no complaints from neighbors. The addition is not contrary to the public good in any way. The traingle shape of the lot meets the burden of proof for "SPECIAL EXCEPTION". Those who are familiar, with our school know that we do a great deal of work with disadvange children. 95% of our services go to disadvange, low income or single parents. I have enclosed a letter from June Klein to support this fact. To say that I regret hireing Construction Enterprises is putting it mildly. I have learned a great deal from this experience. There were no self serving motives in adding this addition. it is needed to meet minimum standards, and insure quality care for the children. sincerely yours, Cheryl Owens Owner -Director S-x rj) ZY, zj El F Small 6,rw, far red 0 (,Rawlln5 pole- 11 r4 LA _0 me, 1% w / le-:: /0011 06 1-1 i-ioVa \ \-,6-,-, ROO M 21 Ll APPLICANT:N • - ..O. * - b•• 4 STATUS OF APPLICANT: X OWNER PROSPECTIVE BUYER TENANT OTHER LOCATION: 3340 S. P. Road LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 2, Block 1.9, Booker Heights EXISTING ZONING: RM-H (Residential FLOOD HAZARD ZONE X C (METIML) Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest _ B (WDERATE) Density) A (100 YEAR) FLOODWAY PROPERTY:SIZE OF , EXISTING LAND USES: Child Care Center SURROUNDING LAND USES: NORTH: Residential and. R. R. Row EAST: Street and R. R. Row SOUTH: Public School WEST: Residential SURROUNDING ZONING: RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density) RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density) RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density) RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Conservation & Revitalization OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES: NONE , Mg IMMUM F"yLgiol* s N 17. 1 Ch. ►* • NEED ,'M { 1 11-14ROM71WATi Harriot ••.• • E. 64` I•`r 'JI I"JI • IIIII 1 :i.1 Le! grz, Residential / 50' Residential / 501 Residential / 601 WATER LINES (SIZE AND LOCATION) 2" line in Harriot; 211 line in S. P. Road; 6" line in Southerland SANITARY SEWER (SIZE AND LOCATION) 12" line in Harriot; 6" line in Southerland DRAINAGE: 48" Storm Sewer in Harriot; 24" Storm Sewer in S. P. Road; and 1811 Storm Sewer in Southerland. FIRE PROTECTION: FIRE STATION NO. 3, Kenneth & Brockman ADEQUACY OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES: Facilities and Public Services at this location are adequate to meet the needs and requirements of the land use. i 1 1 1 * R. O. W.= RIGHT OF WAY The .•. • of • wment is ezpawered to authorize a variance from requirement of the Zoning ordinance when the Board finds that all of the following conditions have been met: qRaITIGK A: That the granting of the variance will not be contrary to the public interest. COMMON B: That literal enforcement of the ordinance will result in unnecessary headship because of exceptional narrowness, shallowness, shape, topography or other extraordinary or exceptional physical situation or physical condition unique to the specific piece of property in question. "Unnecessary hardship" shall mean physical hardship relating to the property itself as distinguished from a hardship relating to convenience, financial considerations or caprice, and the hardship must not result from the applicant or property owner's own actions. OOND1' Off C: That by granting the variance, the spirit of the ordinance will be observed and substantial justice will be done. ANALYSIS, (A) Granting the variance will not be contrary to the public interest. The 9' setback resulting from the addition to the building is in line with the setback off Southerland that has existed for many years, probably beginning with the original construction of the center when it was a residence. The addition to the "rear" of the child care center does not obstruct the vision of vehicular traffic on Southerland nor is the addition close to any other homes or buildings from any other direction. The nearest house is a vacant, abandoned unit that is located about 60-ft. north of the child care center. The nearest other residence on Southerland is approximately 250-ft. to the west. A public school (elementary) is located across the street on the south side of Southerland. The ROW width of Southerland is 60-ft. and the pavement width is 18-ft. This leaves 30-ft. between the edge of the pavement and the wall of the building. CASE + r_B. (B) The lot is irregular in shape. It comes to a point on the north end on Harriot. This area is the children's playground. The day care was opened before specific use permits were required for this use in high density residential areas. The addition was made to comply with State of Texas regulations regarding space requirements for clients of child rare centers. An addition to the north side of the building would take away from the required square footage of State mandated play area, based on the number of children allowed. The applicant, although the property comer, relied upon the contractor to obtain building plan review. The contractor responsible for this work has left the area and cannot be contacted, according to Mrs. Owens. (C) The spirit of the ordinance will be maintained by granting the variance and justice will be done. The 9-ft. setback is identical with the present, pre-existing setback of the structure. No traffic or fire hazards are created by the addition. It is felt that the property owner was taken advantage of by the building contractor employed. The end results of the 14' x 24181' addition is additional space for the children of the child care center. Moreover, although the legal front of the lot is on Southerland, the physical and traditional front and address of this corner lot has been S. P. Road, thus creating an exterior side yard on Southerland. The normal exterior side yard requirement is 10-ft. The remaining setbacks on the property are in compliance. 329-•BA. To consider a variance or a „u special exception to reduce the re- �j quired front yard building setback 0 7a ` ! r , i .'ti ! , 1 a for an existing child care center f ` from 25' to 9' APPLICANT. F.L. & Cheryl Owens YV C'�ihir rt gton� v� r`J r 2 flp" a y 10 �l a a J a J W t 5 �' - 1 / 200 i o � � N >4 1J t6 17 to 29 !d Jr JO !J JI �J! I `" vE 1. : c Euclid 1 r� rJ rd lr to 9 e Y a f! I J.' d t } 24 60 �. .. r , � -�,, Q� e l9 Jd J/ Jr JJ !I JJ Ja !7 !e J9 40 41, IL I5 aririot 30 40 v re r r f 9 R14J r /r r(r 9 a I 6 J?• ! r ypo5r, � v r Southorland r� f6 J6 J2r7 7 yet +r r. J ,r a a 1 Subject ! rkrY '" b r J'� `„'' w e a qp. �' 1 f ', ,�o a � ��,• .v' r '` A 9 � a e SOUTHERLANO SCHOOL / t J I J e k I Jo I j . .�. p 5o a r J9 At 1 -� B� CEMETERY rGrPr sr y t> bG ay rr j 4o Pon c m 5� 4....�.......,..�........, rr IJ `1Y/ a J 4 R�" ; 4 E ( �.. OUR ! ... LACY MERCY__r___ 66,.,.,_._.4 CEMETERY M E T E @ Y VI ) a . ? -. • (/"��'�J ..�"•`---yam-/^�.,,� CEMETERY �'`+-^1/