HomeMy WebLinkAboutZoning Board Of Appeals - Minutes - 03/08/19900
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
March 8, 1990
The regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held on
Thursday, March 8, 1990 at 8:45 a.m. in the Council Chambers of the
City of Fort Collins City Hall. Roll call was answered by
Boardmembers Huddleson, Lancaster and Thede.
Boardmembers absent: Spight, Lawton, Wilmarth and Nelson.
Staff present: Barnes and Zeigler
Minutes of the Regular meeting
of January 11, 1990, Approved as Published
Appeal #1943. Section 29-148, 29-133(4) by Jim Temple, owner, 3212
Camelot Drive - Approved with conditions
"---The variance would reduce the required rear yard setback from
15 feet to 1.5 feet for an addition to the rear of a home in
the RLP zoning district.
---Petitioner's statement of hardship: The petitioner desires to
enlarge the eating area of the home. the existing eating and
kitchen area are very small, and the proposed addition will
increase the size of the eating area and kitchen storage area.
The only way to build the addition is to the rear. the house
is already at the minimum setback, so any addition will require
a variance. the property adjacent to the rear lot line and
south lot line is a detention pond and will always remain
undeveloped, so the addition does not impact anyone and the
intent of the code is met.
---Staff comments: The house was built so far back on the
property that the rear yard is very shallow, in fact the
existing deck is already encroaching into the required setback.
This lot is very unique in that it has a detention pond on two
sides which means that if a variance is granted it certainly
shouldn't have any substantial detriment to the public good,
nor would it impair the intent of the Code. If a variance is
granted it should be conditioned on the applicant getting the
10 foot easement vacated which runs along the rear lot line."
No notices were returned and no letters were received.
Zoning Administrator Peter Barnes said this is a unique lot. It
is surrounded by a detention pond and Boltz Junior High is across
the street from it. He pointed out a deck on the back of the house
ZBA Minutes
March 8, 1990
Page 2
and said it was not shown on the original house plans and if it had
been noticed, it would have needed a variance. He feels it was
built with the house originally because there would not have been
any exiting provided without it. Mr. Barnes showed slides of the
back of the house and pointed out the fence goes past the property
line 15 feet into the detention area. This doesn't cause any
problems because it is a mesh fence. A six foot picket would not
be allowed by the storm drainage office. There is no potential for
development in this area as long as it is a detention pond, but the
easement at the rear of the lot will need to be vacated.
Petitioner Jim Temple explained how much they like their home but
with three children, their eating area is not large enough. The
addition would take care of this. He said he talked to Mike
Herzig, of the City Planning office and he felt there would not be
any problem in vacating the easement.
Boardmember Thede said she saw no problems with the variance and
felt the intent of the code is being met. Boardmember Huddleson
made a motion to approve the variance for the hardship stated with
the condition that the easement is vacated. Boardmember Thede
seconded the motion. Yeas: Huddleson, Lancaster and Thede. Nays:
None. Motion carried 3-0.
Appeal #1944. Section 29-595(d) by Gardner Signs, contractor, 2720
S. College Avenue - Approved with conditions
"---The variance would allow a freestanding sign to be 2 feet from
an interior side lot line instead of the 15 feet required by
Code. specifically it would allow an 18 square foot per face
sign identifying "Inside -Out". The new sign would replace the
existing ground sign which received a similar variance in 1979
to reduce the setback distance to the interior lot line on the
south side of the lot.
---Petitioner's statement of hardship: See petitioner's letter.
In addition, if this sign were placed 15 feet from either
interior side lot line it would be located in one of the 4
existing parking spaces in front of the building. Parking
accommodations are already very limited and the owner would
like to keep the existing spaces. The intent of the Code will
be met because the sign will not result in any visual sign
clutter because the South College Liquor sign is approximately
95 feet away.
---Staff comments: There appears to be a legitimate hardshij,
because the only place the a sign could be located without a
variance from either side lot line would be somewhere in the
middle of the parking area or curb cut. This would virtually
render the parking unusable. The sign is smaller and lower
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March S, 1990
Page 3
than the existing sign which received a similar variance. The
Board may want to condition any variance by requiring that if
the property to the south replaces their existing sign with a
new sign that is within 30 feet of this proposed sign, a new
variance will be required."
There were no notices returned or letters received.
Peter Barnes explained the difficulty involved with installing a
sign without a variance at this location. He told the Board the
difference between a ground sign and a free standing sign. The
existing sign is a ground sign and if it were moved closer to the
road it would be difficult to view traffic. However, even though
the proposed sign would be closer to the road, because it is a free
standing sign, vehicles would be able to have a clear view under
the sign.
Petitioner Paul Morrissey felt this option was the most reasonable
solution to get the owner a clear view of his sign.
Peter Barnes said the variance should be reviewed if the property
to the south ever moved their sign, which they could feasibly do.
Boardmember Thede made a motion to approve the variance for the
hardship stated with the condition that if a sign was installed
within 30 feet on the south, the variance would need to be
reviewed. The motion was seconded by Boardmember Huddleson. Yeas:
Huddleson, Lancaster and Thede. Nays: None. Motion carried 3-
0.
OTHER BUSINESS - Frank Lancaster said Duffy Kemming with the
Commission on the Status of Women was requesting a member from all
Boards and Commissions to participate in a meeting on March 29th
from 7-9 in the Council Chambers. Chuck Huddleson said he would
go.
Peter Barnes said the breakfast will be held on April 12th before
the meeting. Discussion will be held on the open meeting policy
and how it effects ZBA.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank Lancaster, Chairman
Peter Barnes, StaffLiaison