HomeMy WebLinkAboutZoning Board Of Appeals - Minutes - 07/11/1985ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
July 11, 1985
Regular Meeting - 8:30 A.M.
Minutes
The regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held on Thursday,
July 11, 1985 at 8:30 A.M. in the Council Chambers of the City of Fort
Collins City Hall. Roll call was answered by Boardmembers Dodder,
Szopinski, Murphy, Lieser, and Walker. Boardmembers absent were Thede and
Johnson.
Staff Present: Fernan, Zeigler, Sajwan, Roy
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
of June 13, 1985 - Approved as Published
The minutes of the June 13, 1985 regular meeting were unanimously approved.
Appeal No. 1649. Section 118-41(E) by Merrill Ludwig, Owner, 1143 Timber
Lane - Approved
"---The variance would reduce the required 15 foot rear yard setback to 10
feet for a garage addition to a single family dwelling in the RL zone.
---Hardship pleaded: The petitioner desires to build the garage addition
in order to store his camper. There is a 10 foot utility easement in
use at the rear of the property and additional land is not available to
buy.
---Staff recommendation: Approval."
There were no notices or letters received.
Petitioner Ludwig said that the driveway would be a three car, 16 foot wide
driveway. Additionally, he stated that the garage door and driveway would
be on the Clearview side of the corner lot. Mr. Ludwig said that he would
follow the existing roof line for the garage addition as well.
Boardmember Lieser made a motion to approve the variance for the hardship
pleaded. The motion was seconded by Boardmember Dodder. Yeas: Dodder,
Szopinski, Murphy, Lieser, Walker. Nays: None.
Appeal No. 1652. Section 118-81(D)(2)(a) by Mike Reager, Owner, 1530
Riverside Lane - Approved.
"---The variance would reduce the required 5 foot parking lot setback along
the north lot line to 0 feet for a new mortuary in the IG zone.
Hardship pleaded: The property backs up to the railroad. The driveway
goes behind the building, therefore, the five foot setback is required.
However, since the rear abuts the railroad there is no aesthetic value
to landscaping this area. The petitioner would rather spend the money
in landscaping in the front of the building.
---Staff recommendation: Approval."
There were no notices or letters received.
Petitioner Mike Reager described how the drive —way will route around the
building for traffic purposes. Likewise, Reager said that there are 30
feet from the property line to the railroad tracks and that he would like to
avoid extensive landscaping in this back area of the property.
Boardmember Szopinski made a motion to approve the variance for the hardship
pleaded. The motion was seconded by Boardmember Lieser. Yeas: Dodder,
Szopinski, Murphy, Lieser, Walker. Nays: None.
Appeal No. 1653. Section 118-41(C) by Bob Heath, Owner, 1104 W. Magnolia —
Approved with condition
"---The variance would reduce the required lot width from 60 feet to 52 feet
for a new single family home in the RL zone.
---Hardship pleaded: The lot is an older lot, platted with only 52 feet of
lot width. Nothing can be built without a variance. There is no
additional land available to buy. This same variance was granted on
October 25, 1984, but is expiring and the petitioner would like to be
granted again.
---Staff recommendation: Approval for hardship stated and since nothing
can be built without a variance."
There were no notices or letters received.
Petitioner Bob Heath asked for a one year extension of the variance granted
in October of 1984 with the same conditions as stated at that time. Mr.
Heath explained that the plot plan is different from that in the first
appeal, however, he would keep the new plans within the code requirements.
Brian Moroney of 1100 W. Magnolia spoke in opposition to the variance. Mr.
Moroney felt that the 8 foot reduction in lot width was too much and that it
wouldn't fit in with the neighborhood. In addition, Moroney said that he
felt that Mr. Heath does not have a legitimate hardship in that he knew that
the lot was 60 feet wide when he bought it. Mr. Moroney did not mind this
variance per se however he was concerned about any future implications if
this variance should be approved. He stated that he would like to see more
definite sets of plans. Boardmember Steve Dodder asked the petitioner if
the plans were even close to what will be built. Petitioner Bob Heath
replied that the plans were close and that the proposed construction would
be a ranch style. Neighbor Brian Moroney asked the Board at this time if
a "ranch style" was typically one story and the Board answered "yes".
Boardmember Walker commented that in his opinion the front would not fit
into the neighborhood.
Boardmember Dodder made a motion to approve the variance for the hardship
pleaded with the condition of approval for one year. The motion was
seconded by Boardmember Szopinski. Yeas: Dodder, Szopinski, Murphy,
Lieser, Walker. Nays: None.
Appeal No. 1654. Withdrawn by petitioner.
Appeal No. 1655. Section 118-44(B)(C) by Berk Conway, Prospective Owner,
601 South Sherwood - Denied
"---The variance would reduce the minimum lot area from 12,000 square feet
to 9,500 square feet and the lot width from 60 feet to 50 feet for a new
duplex and an existing single family dwelling on one lot in the RH zone.
---Hardship pleaded: This lot was platted in the old part of town with
only 50 feet lot width and there is not additional land available to
buy.
---Staff recommendation: Denial. Hardship is self-imposed.
There were no notices or letters received.
Boardmember Szopinski told Petitioner Berk Conway that he was concerned that
the reduction in area and width was too much for the lot. Petitioner
Conway said that he would at least like approval for a duplex. Boardmember
Walker felt that for such a high intensity use it should go before the
Planning and Zoning Board for approval. Boardmember Szopinski stated as
well that this Board did not have the authority to approve this variance and
that the ZBA Board could not grant approval for a high density use. Due to
the reasons stated, Boardmember Walker made a motion to deny the variance.
The motion was seconded by Boardmember Dodder. Yeas: Dodder, Szopinski,
Murphy, Walker. Nays: Leiser.
Appeal No. 1656. Section 118-43(B) by the Conine Company, Contractor,
215 North Whitcomb - Tabled to the next ZBA meeting
Due to the fact thatthe Petitioner Conine Company was not present to
represent the variance, Boardmember Szopinski made a motion to table this
appeal to the next ZBA meeting. The motion was seconded by Boardmember
Dodder. Yeas: Dodder, Szopinski, Murphy, Lieser, Walker. Nays: None.
Appeal No. 1657. Section 118-810)(3)(h) by Gayle McCartney (Golden
Meadows Swim Club), Owner, 4360 McMurray - Approved.
"---The variance would reduce the required number of off-street parking
spaces for a recreational use from two spaces per three employees to
zero in the IP zone.
Hardship pleaded: The petitioner's desire to eliminate the parking
since there will only be two employees (lifeguards,
r
etc.) during the
for the members
traffic.
---Staff recommendation: Approval."
summer months only. This pool is
only and they don't anticipate any
There were no notices or letters received.
Joanne Troutman was present representing the petitioner, Golden Meadows Swim
Club. Ms. Troutman stated that the site would be a "walk -to" facility and
that if parking should be needed there were 22 spaces along the street for
parking. Troutman said that at present they had 86 members with an
anticipated membership total of 175.
Boardmember Dodder made a motion to approve the variance for the hardship
pleaded. The motion was seconded by Boardmember Lieser. Yeas: Dodder,
Szopinski, Murphy, Lieser, Walker. Nays: None.
Appeal No. 1658. Section 118-44 by John Allen, Prospective Owner,
528 West Magnolia - Approved
"---The variance would reduce the minimum lot width from 60 feet to 45 feet
and the side yard setback along street frontage from 15 feet to 6.5 feet
for a duplex in the RH zone.
---Hardship pleaded: This is an existing single family dwellinig on a lot
in the old part of town platted at 45 feet lot width. The petitioner
desires to add a second story, following the existing building lines,
creating a two-family dwelling. There is no additional land to buy.
---Staff recommendation: Approval. Although the hardship is self-imposed
it doesn't aggravate the existing non -conforming setback and doesn't
increase the impact."
There were no notices or letters received.
Petitioner John Allen explained that his request is to be able to improve
the property by adding a second story. Mr. Allen stated that the purchase
and construction of this site hinges on the Board's approval. Allen said
that should the variance be approved construction would begin in September
and take approximately six weeks to complete.
Jay Curtis of 524 W. Magnolia spoke in opposition to the variance. Mr.
Curtis was concerned that if approved the neighborhood would move in
transition to rentals. Curtis would like to see that familys remain in the
neighborhood and fears that this variance would allow a change in the
composition of the neighborhood for life. In addition, Curtis was concerned
about what this may do to the value and marketability of his own property.
The Board asked Curtis what the general compostion of the neighborhood was
at this time and Curtis replied that it was about 50 percent rentals and 50
percent owners, all single family.
Boardmember Szopinski made a motion to approve the variance for the hardship
pleaded. The motion was seconded by Boardmember Lieser. Yeas: Dodder,
Szopinski, Lieser. Nays: Murphy, Walker.
Appeal No. 1659. Section 118-41.1(B) by Steve Arceneaux, Owner, 1636
Waterford Lane - Denied
"---The variance would allow the lot area to be less than 3 times the
finished floor area of a single family dwelling in the RLP zone.
Specifically, the floor area is 2,359 square feet which would require
the lot area to be 7,077 square feet. The lot is 6,600 square feet;
a 477 square foot reduction.
---Hardship pleaded: The Board denied this variance request as Appeal No.
1642 on June 13, 1985. The petitioner's desire to present new evidence
in the form of a petition signed by homeowners in the neighborhood.
---Staff recommendation: Denial. Hardship is self-imposed and is common
to other lots in a row, therefore is not unique."
No notices were returned. One letter was received which is attached to the
minutes.
Petitioner Steve Arceneaux said that a previous house of the same lot size
and same square footage had been approved. Therefore, they didn't think
there would be a problem when they purchased this lot. Likewise, Mr.
Arceneaux felt they were a victim of circumstance in that a major investment
had already been made in this site which would be lost if the variance
should be denied. Boar<member Szopinski said that they would need to reduce
the proposed site by 159 square feet in order to build. Arceneaux replied
that they had tried to reduce it but they felt it was just too small by
reducing 70 square feet off the bedrooms. Boardmember Walker wanted to know
why the plan was so inchangeable and Arceneaux replied that they had already
put out alot of money for the plans, permit, etc. of the proposed site as it
was. Steve Arecneaux, Jr. was also present in support of the variance and
stated that they had built the same house on the same size lot last year and
didn't need a variance and was wondering just why they needed one this time.
Zoning Inspector Anne Fernan replied that the past house unfortunately had
slipped by and was approved mistakenly.
Boardmember Sopinski felt that the hardship was self-imposed. Boardmember
Dodder said that he was concerned that if the Board approved this variance
that it would set a precedence for future variances and that he felt they
could not approve this variance on the basis of an unfortunate error made
the past. Boardmember Lieser felt that the Board did. not have to fall to
the precedent should the variance be approved. Boardmember Szopinski made
a motion to deny the variance based on a self-imposed hardship. The motion
was seconded by Boardmember Dodder. Yeas: Dodder, Szopinski, Murphy,
Walker. Nays: Lieser.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernard Murphy, Chairman
Anne Fernan, Staff up t