HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Boards of Adjustment - Meeting Date: 4/11/2013 MINUTES
CITY OF GLENDALE
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
COUNCIL CHAMBERS BUILDING
CONFERENCE ROOM B-3
5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE
GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85301
THURSDAY,APRIL 11,2013
4:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at approximately 4:03 pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Board members Toops and Garland, and Vice Chairperson Cheshier and Chairperson Blake were
in attendance. Board members Mendez and Galbavy were absent.
City Staff: Jon Froke, AICP, Planning Director, Remigio Cordero, Planner, Martin Martell,
Planning Intern, Russ Romney, Deputy City Attorney, Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairperson Blake called for a motion regarding the Minutes from the August 9, 2012, Regular
Meeting.
Vice Chairperson Cheshier made a MOTION to APPROVE the minutes from the August 9,
2012, Regular Meeting as written. Board member Toops SECONDED the motion, which was
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
IV. WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES
Chairperson Blake asked staff if there were any requests for Withdrawals or Continuances.
There were none.
V. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
VAR13-01: A request by the property owner, Gilbert Lopez, to reduce the side yard setbacks
to 12 feet on the north side yard and 8 feet on the south side yard and 10 feet in rear yard where a
20 foot perimeter setback is required in the R-3 (Multiple Residence). The site is located south
of the southwest corner of 54th Drive and Ocotillo Road (6642 North 54th Drive). Staff Contact:
Remigio Cordero, Planner(Ocotillo District).
Mr. Remigio Cordero, Planner, introduced this item. He said VAR13-01 is a request by the
property owner, Mr. Gilbert Lopez, for the property located at 6642 North 54th Drive. He said
the applicant is requesting a variance in the R-3 (Multiple Residence) zoning district to reduce
the north side yard setback to 12 feet and the south side yard setback to eight feet and the rear
City of Glendale
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April 11,2013
Board of Adjustment Agenda
Page 2
yard setback to 10 feet where a 20 foot perimeter setback is required for the R-3 (Multiple
Residence) zoning district.
Mr. Cordero said the property is located south of the southwest corner of 54th Drive and Ocotillo
Road. The property is approximately 3,533 square feet in size.
He said the applicant is requesting a variance to decrease the side and rear setbacks to proceed
with a room addition and patio additions to the existing property.
He continued by stating on March 7, 2013, the applicant mailed 65 notification letters to adjacent
property owners and interested parties. The applicant received one response in support of the
request. The Planning Division received no responses regarding the request. The applicant's
Citizen Participation Final Report is attached.
Mr. Cordero reviewed each of the four findings:
1, There are special circumstances or conditions applicable to the property including its size,
shape, topography, location, or surroundings,which were not self-imposed by the owner;
The width, depth, and size of the lot create special circumstances not self-imposed by the
property owner. These three characteristics for this property do not meet the zoning ordinance
requirements for the R-3 zoning district. The room addition and two patio additions requires
some level of relief based on the setback requirement. Currently the home is constructed within
the 20 foot perimeter setback. The proposed additions will be within the same side yard setbacks
of the house. The surrounding neighborhood is developed with a variety of side-yard and rear
yard setbacks; many do not meet the current R-3 perimeter setbacks.
2. Due to the special circumstances, the strict application of the Zoning Ordinance would
deprive the property of privileges enjoyed by other properties of the same classification in
the same zoning district;
The strict application of the Zoning Ordinance would limit the property owner of adding these
additions to the home due to the perimeter setback requirement of 20 feet. Several of the
properties in the neighborhood have setbacks that are similar to those proposed by the applicant.
3. The variance is the minimum necessary to alleviate the property hardship; and
The requested side yard setbacks are the minimum necessary to alleviate the property's
hardships. This variance would allow the property owner to apply for permits to construct the
proposed additions to the home.
4. Granting the variance will not have a detrimental effect on the property, adjoining
property, the surrounding neighborhood, or the city in general.
The requested building setbacks are consistent with other properties in the surrounding area and
will not detrimentally affect any neighboring properties.
April 11,2013
Board of Adjustment Agenda
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Mr. Cordero concluded the variance request appears to meet all four findings and should be
approved. If the Board decides to grant the variance, it should be subject to the following
stipulation:
1. Development shall be in conformance with the site plan date-stamped March 6, 2013.
Mr. Cordero stated he was available for questions.
Chairperson Blake asked if the Board had any questions.
Board member Garland asked if the patio was located in the front of the house. Mr. Cordero said
the "front"of the home is actually the side which has access through the alley.
Board member Toops asked if the footprint remains the same. Mr. Cordero said the proposed
structure is slightly larger.
Chairperson Blake called for the applicant.
Mr. Gilbert Lopez introduced himself and explained his proposal. He said he was available for
questions.
Vice Chaiperson Cheshier asked if vehicular traffic was allowed on alleyway. Mr. Cordero said
it is a public right-of-way and is paved. He added residents are and do use the alleyway to access
their lots. He said the alley is maintained by the City of Glendale.
Chairperson Blake opened the public hearing.
With no one wishing to comment, Chairperson Blake closed the public hearing.
Chairperson Blake called on Mr. Russ Romney, Deputy City Attorney.
Based on the facts and evidence presented, Mr. Romney requested a vote from the Board. He
read each finding and waited as the Board responded.
Finding One. Chairperson Blake called for a voice vote on Finding One. The Board
responded with a 4—0 vote in favor.
Finding Two. Chairperson Blake called for a voice vote on Finding Two. The Board
responded with a 4—0 vote in favor.
Finding Three. Chairperson Blake called for a voice vote on Finding Three. The Board
responded with a 4 to 0 vote in favor.
Finding Four. Chairperson Blake called for a voice vote on Finding Four. The Board
responded with a 4—0 vote in favor.
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Board of Adjustment Agenda
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Mr. Romney asked that if based upon these findings, does the Board wish to grant a variance on
VAR13-01, subject to the stipulation as set forth by Planning.
Chairperson Blake called for a motion.
Vice Chairperson Cheshier MADE a MOTION to APPROVE VAR13-01 subject to the
stipulation in the staff report. Board member Garland SECONDED the MOTION.
The MOTION was APPROVED with a vote of 4 to 0.
Chairperson Blake called for the next item.
VAR13-02: A request by Habitat for Humanity to reduce the side yard setbacks to 5 and 9 feet
where 20 foot perimeter setback is required in the R-3 (Multiple Residence) zoning district. The
site is located south of the southwest corner of 55th Avenue and Lamar Road (6730 North 55th
Avenue). Staff Contact: Remigio Cordero, Planner(Ocotillo District).
Mr. Cordero presented this item stating VAR13-02 was a request by Habitat for Humanity for
the property located at 6730 North 55th Avenue to reduce the side yard setbacks to five and nine
where 20 feet is required in the R-3 (Multiple Residence)zoning district.
He explained the property is a rectangular shaped lot and is approximately 49' feet wide and
169' feet deep with an area of approximately 8,526 square feet. The applicant is proposing to
construct a new 2,100 square foot single-family home that is comparable in scale to the houses in
the existing neighborhood.
On March 7, 2013 the applicant mailed 110 notification letters to adjacent property owners and
interested parties. The applicant did not receive any response regarding the request. Planning
did not receive any response regarding the request.
Mr. Cordero reviewed the Four Findings.
1. There are special circumstances or conditions applicable to the property including its size,
shape, topography, location, or surroundings,which were not self-imposed by the owner;
A lot width of 49 feet creates a special circumstance not self-imposed by the property owner.
The construction of a new home requires some level of relief based on the setback requirement.
The setback requirement would only allow for a 9-foot wide housing product to be constructed.
A 20 foot perimeter setback requirement would render the property unusable. The surrounding
neighborhood is developed with a variety of side-yard setbacks; many do not meet the current R-
3 perimeter setbacks.
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Board of Adjustment Agenda
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2. Due to the special circumstances, the strict application of the Zoning Ordinance would
deprive the property of privileges enjoyed by other properties of the same classification in
the same zoning district;
The strict application of the Zoning Ordinance would limit the property to 20 foot side yard
setbacks and eliminate the possibility of building a home on the property due to the total width of
the lot. Several of the properties in the neighborhood have setbacks that are similar to those
proposed by Habitat for Humanity.
3. The variance is the minimum necessary to alleviate the property hardship; and;
The requested side yard setbacks are the minimum necessary to construct a single-family
residential home on the vacant lot. The front and rear yard setbacks, maximum lot coverage, and
minimum lot depth are in conformance with current R-3 zoning requirements.
4. Granting the variance will not have a detrimental effect on the property, adjoining
property,the surrounding neighborhood, or the city in general;
The requested building setbacks are consistent with other properties in the surrounding area and
will not detrimentally affect any neighboring properties.
In conclusion, the variance request appears to meet all four findings and should be approved. If
the Board decides to grant the variance, it should be subject to the following stipulations:
1. Development shall be in conformance with the site plan, floor plan, and elevations date-
stamped March 7, 2013.
2. All mechanical equipment shall be ground mounted.
3. All utilities less than 69kv shall be placed underground.
Chairperson Blake called the applicant.
Ms. Tana Nichols, Habitat for Humanity, introduced herself and the organization. She said she
was available for questions.
Board member Garland questioned the footprint. Ms. Nichols said the footprint for a three
bedroom and a four bedroom home was the same.
Chairperson Blake opened the public hearing.
With no one wishing to comment, Chairperson Blake closed the public hearing.
Chairperson Blake called on Mr. Russ Romney, Deputy City Attorney.
April 11,2013
Board of Adjustment Agenda
Page 6
Based on the facts and evidence presented, Mr. Romney requested a vote from the Board. He
read each finding and waited as the Board responded.
Finding One. Chairperson Blake called for a voice vote on Finding One. The Board
responded with a 4—0 vote in favor.
Finding Two. Chairperson Blake called for a voice vote on Finding Two. The Board
responded with a 4—0 vote in favor.
Finding Three. Chairperson Blake called for a voice vote on Finding Three. The Board
responded with a 4 to 0 vote in favor.
Finding Four. Chairperson Blake called for a voice vote on Finding Four. The Board
responded with a 4—0 vote in favor.
Mr. Romney asked that if based upon these findings, does the Board wish to grant a variance on
VAR13-02 subject to the stipulations as set forth by Planning.
Chairperson Blake called for a motion.
Board member Garland MADE a MOTION to APPROVE VAR13-02 subject to the
stipulations in the staff report. Board member Toops SECONDED the MOTION.
The MOTION was APPROVED with a vote of 4 to 0.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
Chairperson Blake asked staff if there was other business from the floor. There was none.
VII. PLANNING STAFF COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Chairperson Blake asked staff if there were any planning staff comments or suggestions. Mr.
Froke announced in addition to his role as Planning Director he is now also the liaison to the
Board of Adjustment. He said Tabitha Perry is on temporary assignment in the Economic
Development Division. Also, he said Board member Mander has resigned from the Board and
that Ms. Sandra Mendez was not reappointed by the Government Services Committee.
VIII. BOARD COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Chairperson Blake asked the Board if there were any comments or suggestions. Vice
Chairperson Cheshier stated she is very happy with the 4pm meeting start time.
Board member Garland asked if there were any comments from the public regarding the 4pm
start time. Mr. Froke said there have not been any comments or complaints received.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:50 pm.
April 11,2013
Board of Adjustment Agenda
Page 7
Respectfully submitted,
act_i„„
Diana Figueroa, Recodi g Secretary