Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Boards of Adjustment - Meeting Date: 6/13/2019MINUTES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM 2A 5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019 4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:05 PM. ROLL CALL Board members present: Chairperson Erminie Zarra, Vice Chair Cathy Cheshier, Veronica Flores, and Benjamin Naber were present. Board members absent: Lawrence Feiner and Michael Wilson were absent. City staff present: David Williams, AICP Planning Administrator, George Gehlert, AICP Planner, Kurt Christianson, Assistant City Attorney, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary. CITIZEN COMMENTS Chairperson Zarra asked for citizen comments, and no citizen comments were made. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES There was a motion to approve the March meeting minutes made by Vice Chair Cheshier and seconded by Mr. Naber. All in favor. WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES There were no withdrawals and continuances on the agenda. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS Chairperson Zarra called for staff's presentation on the public hearing items. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VARIANCE VAR19-01: A request by Tana Nichols, representing Habitat for Humanity, for approval of a variance for the property at 6617 N. 54th Avenue (zoned R-3 Multiple Residence), in order to reduce the required 20 -foot perimeter setback, specifically to 5 feet on the north (side) boundary and to 10 feet along the south (side) boundary. Staff Contact: George Gehlert, Planner (623) 930-2597. Mr. Gehlert presented on behalf of Tana Nichols. Mr. Gehlert explained that the application of the current setbacks occurred with the adoption of the zoning ordinances in 1993, and at this point, there was a 20 -foot setback standard with the R-3 zoning area, resulting in the request for variance. STAFF FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS: 1. There are special circumstances or conditions applicable to the property including its size, shape, topography, or surroundings, which were not self-imposed by the owner. 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. 3. The variance is the minimum necessary to alleviate the property hardship. 4. Granting the variance will not have a detrimental effect on the property, adjoining property, the surrounding neighborhood, or the city in general. All applicable city staff have reviewed the application, and no significant issues have been identified. No comments were made from adjacent property owners. Provided that the variance request is approved, it would be subject to the two stipulations below: 1. Development shall be in conformance with the applicant's narrative and site plan identified in the Citizen Participation Plan, dated May 24, 2019. 2. Submittal of front elevation which address architectural elements set out under the City of Glendale Residential Design and Development Manual, including garage recess, paint colors and detailing. Mr. Gehlert concluded his presentation and stated that Ms. Nichols was present if the Board had any questions or concerns. Chairperson Zarra asked Ms. Nichols if she would like to come forward and make a presentation, Ms. Nichols had nothing to add. Mr. Naber asked if the lot is vacant. Ms. Nichols said yes. Mr. Naber then asked if there would be access only to 54th Avenue, and Ms. Nichols explained that there is an alley on the Eastside as well. With that, Ms. Nichols made a closing statement expressing thanks to the board for helping assist Habitat for Humanity with receiving federal funds to aid in their growth in Glendale. Ms. Nichols happily added that the city council passed a resolution a few month ago allowing sticks and bricks in the Granada mobile home park, and the city's revitalization department has agreed to help with this. Chairperson Zarra then opened the item to discussion. Vice Chair Cheshier asked if the city can help alleviate the need for variance for these types of situations. Mr. Williams explained that the city is working to prepare infill and reuse and development standards and alleviating the need for a variance. Mr. Williams also said that the city is planning on revising the zoning codes. This will all be done in an effort to aid older areas and provide flexible standards. With no further discussion, Chairperson Zarra closed the public hearing. Mr. Christianson led the in the vote on findings 1-4 (above), and they were unanimously approved. Vice Chair Cheshier made a motion to accept the VAR19-01 (pending stipulations), and it was seconded by Board Member Naber. All were in favor, and none opposed (vote 4-0). Motion passed. VAR19-02 LARA DUPLEX - SIDE YARD SETBACK REDUCTION: A request by Angelica Armenta, representing the property owner Oscar Lara Diaz, for approval of a Variance 2 for the property at 6710 N. 59th Drive (zoned R-03 Multiple Residence), in order to reduce the required 20 -foot perimeter setback, specifically to 10 feet on the north (side) boundary; and to 5 feet along the south (side) boundary. Staff Contact: George Gehlert, Planner (623) 930-2697. Mr. Gehlert conducted the staff presentation. Mr. Gehlert explained that the property is currently vacant, and properties to the north and south are already developed. This is variance is similar to the previous item. STAFF FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS: 1. There are special circumstances or conditions applicable to the property including its size, shape, topography, or surroundings, which were not self-imposed by the owner. 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. 3. The variance is the minimum necessary to alleviate the property hardship. 4. Granting the variance will not have a detrimental effect on the property, adjoining property, the surrounding neighborhood, or the city in general. All applicable city staff have reviewed the application, and no significant issues have been identified. No comments were made from adjacent property owners. Provided that the variance request is approved, it would be subject to the two stipulations below: 1. Development shall be in conformance with the applicant's narrative and site plan identified in the Citizen Participation Plan, dated May 20, 2019. 2. Submittal of front elevation which address architectural elements set out under the City of Glendale Residential Design and Development Manual, including garage recess, paint colors and detailing. Mr. Gehlert concluded his presentation and stated he would be happy to answer questions. Vice Chair Cheshier asked if this lot (50' x 180') if it's possible to build a second unit. Mr. Gehlert confirmed that it is possible. Vice Chair Cheshier asked how many could be built if the variance was not approved. Mr. Gehlert explained that whatever it may be, it would be restricted to 10'. Ms. Armenta chose not to make a closing statement. Chairperson Zarra opened the item for discussion. With no further discussion necessary, Chairperson Zarra closed the public hearing. Mr. Christianson then led the in the vote on findings 1-4 (above), and they were unanimously approved. Chairperson Zarra asked for a motion to approve VAR19-02, its findings, and the two stipulations noted on the hardcopy of the report. Board Member Naber made a motion, and it was seconded by Vice Chair Cheshier. All in favor, and none opposed (vote 4-0). Motion passed. STAFF REPORT Mr. Williams noted that the city has hired a consultant to create an updated zoning code. 3 The budget was adopted for the coming fiscal year, and it is anticipated that there will be the same number of cases and workload as the previous year. Thus, business is strong in the planning division. The regular clerk (Samantha Cope) will be returning next meeting. BOARD COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS No other business, committee comments, or suggestions were made. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will take place Thursday, July 11, 2019, at 4 PM. ADJOURNMENT Board Member Flores moved a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Board Member Naber, it was approved unanimously at 4:44 PM. 4