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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Boards of Adjustment - Meeting Date: 5/9/2002 MEETING MINUTES CITY OF GLENDALE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT GLENDALE COUNCIL CHAMBERS BUILDING CONERENCE ROOM B-3 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY,MAY 9, 2002 7:00 P.M. The regular meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. by the Chairperson, Dan Drew, with the following members and representatives present: BOARDMEMBERS PRESENT: Daniel Drew, Chairperson Hector Castro Carl Dietzman Ron Piceno Ann Ransom Richard Schwartz Douglas Ward, Vice-Chairperson BOARDMEMBERS ABSENT: None CITY STAFF: Ray Jacobs, Zoning Administrator Jim Flenner, Deputy City Attorney Tabitha Perry, Associate Planner John Fukasawa, Associate Planner Sally Millward,Recording Secretary Chairperson Drew explained the Board's policies and hearing procedures. Chairperson Drew called for approval of the April 11, 2002 minutes. Vice-chairperson Ward made a MOTION to APPROVE the minutes from the April 11, 2002 meeting. Boardmember Dietzman SECONDED the MOTION. The motion PASSED by a vote of 7-0. Chairperson Drew called for Business from the Floor. There was none. Chairperson Drew asked staff if there were any requests for withdrawals or continuances. There were none. May 9, 2002 Board of Adjustment Page 2 Chairperson Drew called for public hearing items. APPLICATION NO.: ZV-02-03 REQUEST: A request by Lorraine Abeyta to allow 15-foot side yard setbacks where 50 feet are required, a 25-foot front yard setback where 75 feet is required, and 23.4% lot coverage where 10% is allowed in the A-1 (Agricultural) zoning district. The property is located at 6135 West Paradise Lane. Staff Contact: John Fukasawa (Sahuaro District). Mr. Fukasawa presented the application, reviewing the site and request. Ms. and Mr. Abeyta, applicant and her husband, stated the side yard setbacks are the same as they had prior to the fire. He said the 25-foot front yard setback would allow them to add an additional room to the back. She noted several other residents in the neighborhood already have reduced front yard setbacks. Boardmember Piceno asked what was the square footage of the home destroyed by fire. Ms. Abeyta estimated it to be approximately 2,400 square feet. She acknowledged that the previous house was not in conformance with the zoning, stating no homes in the area are. Ms. Abeyta confirmed for Chairperson Drew they would build on the same footprint as the previous house. Chairperson Drew noted for the record that he spoke with a neighbor, but not specifically about the case. Boardmember Piceno asked Ms. Abeyta if they have any intention of expanding the home again in the future. Ms. Abeyta said no. Chairperson Drew opened the meeting up for public comment on this case. As no comments were made, he closed the public hearing portion of the case. Boardmember Piceno made a MOTION to APPROVE ZV-02-03. Boardmember Schwartz SECONDED the MOTION. Chairperson Drew opened the floor to discussion. Board members Castro, Piceno, Ward, and Drew concurred all four findings were met. No further comments were made. Chairperson Drew called for a Roll Call Vote. The MOTION PASSED by a vote of 7 to 0. Chairperson Drew stated anyone wishing to appeal the Board's decision on this item may do so by contacting the Planning Department within 15 calendar days of the date of this action. May 9, 2002 Board of Adjustment Page 3 APPLICATION NO.: ZV-02-08 REQUEST: A request by Earl McCullough for a variance to allow a 10-foot side yard setback where 15 feet is required in the SR-17 (Suburban Residence) zoning district. The property is located at 5637 West Shaw Butte Drive. Staff Contact: Tabitha Perry (Sahuaro District). Ms. Perry presented the application, reviewing the site and request. Boardmember Piceno asked Ms. Perry what the size of the requested storage area is and what she would recommend it be reduced to. Ms. Perry said the variance, as requested, is the minimum necessary to construct the storage area. She said, while the applicant could reduce the size of the storage area, it may not accommodate his needs. Chairperson Drew asked if the storage room is independent from the house. Ms. Perry stated it is an addition to the house that the applicant intends to use for storage purposes. She acknowledged that, once approved, the room could be used for any other purpose if desired. Boardmember Dietzman asked how the applicant would enter or exit the room, pointing out there are no doors on the site plan. Boardmember Piceno asked if the 10-foot side setback would apply to the entire property. Mr. Jacobs clarified the 10-foot setback stipulation would refer to the site plan and be limited to the area included on the site plan. Mr. McCullough, applicant, approached the podium to answer questions. Boardmember Ransom asked if the storage room would be air conditioned. Mr. McCullough responded no. He clarified the room would have a large door in the front and side doors on the west and east sides. Vice-chairperson Ward asked if the existing storage unit would be removed. Mr. McCullough answered yes. In response to Chairperson Drew's question, Mr. McCullough stated the storage room would measure 900 square feet. Chairperson Drew asked if the motor home would remain in the back yard. Mr. McCullough said he would store the motor home at his shop. He confirmed there would be no access into the storage room from the house. Mr. Jacobs questioned the estimate of the size of the storage room, stating he believes it is smaller than 900 square feet. Chairperson Drew opened the meeting up for public comment on this case. As no comments were made, he closed the public hearing portion of the case. May 9, 2002 Board of Adjustment Page 4 Boardmember Piceno made a MOTION to APPROVE ZV-02-08, subject to the stipulations contained in the staff report and as presented and referenced by the site plan dated April 11, 2002. Boardmember Dietzman SECONDED the MOTION. Chairperson Drew opened the floor to discussion. Vice-chair Ward asked if the motion includes the removal of the existing storage structure. Mr. Jacobs explained the ordinance provides for one storage shed that is less than 6 feet tall and 120 square feet in area. Chairperson Drew suggested the application should have been for an addition to the home rather than for a storage room. He explained the applicant or future owners of the home would be free to use the room for other purposes once the Board grants approval. No further comments were made. Chairperson Drew called for a Roll Call Vote. The MOTION PASSED by a vote of 7 to 0. Chairperson Drew stated anyone wishing to appeal the Board's decision on this item may do so by contacting the Planning Department within 15 calendar days of the date of this action. APPLICATION NO.: ZV-02-07 REQUEST: A request by Dave Prescott on behalf of the Glendale Nazarene Church for sign variances in the R1-6 (Single Residence) zoning district to allow (1) an increase in the freestanding sign height of 8 feet where 5 feet is the maximum allowed, (2) increase the maximum allowed freestanding sign area from 24 square feet to 40 square feet, and (3) increase the aggregated sign area of all identification signs from 48 square feet to 58 feet. The property is located at 5902 West Cactus Road: Tabitha Perry (Sahuaro District). Ms. Perry presented the application, reviewing the site and request. In response to Boardmember Dietzman's request, Ms. Perry pointed out where the proposed wall mounted signs would be located. Mr. Prescott, applicant, stated there has been no opposition to their request. Boardmember Schwartz asked what the signs would actually look like. Mr. Prescott stated the size and height of the sign would be similar to the Marshall Ranch sign across the street. He said the screenwall signs would be three to four feet high with eight inch letters. May 9, 2002 Board of Adjustment Page 5 Boardmember Castro asked if a study was done to determine that an eight foot sign is necessary. Mr. Prescott explained the size of the sign is in direct relationship to the large scale of the property. He noted the Marshall Ranch signs are much larger. Boardmember Castro asked why they decided on an eight-foot sign rather than a five-foot sign. Mr. Jacobs stated it was a design issue, explaining their logo needs the additional height for visibility. Mr. Prescott explained the R1-6 standards were established for single family residential lots, not a 26-acre parcel. Vice-chairperson Ward said the lettering remains the same, regardless of the height of the sign. Mr. Prescott explained the logo is higher than the lettering. He assured the Board the sign would be tastefully done. Chairperson Drew stated the church is easily visible from the street and its location will be known by most of those visiting. He asked what purpose would there be in having larger signs. Mr. Prescott pointed out the property has 2,100 linear feet of street frontage. He stated the church will draw numerous people who do not regularly attend their church, (i.e. weddings, funerals, and other social events). Chairperson Drew suggested people would be able to find the church just by its general location at 59th Avenue and Cactus. Mr. Prescott agreed. Boardmember Schwartz expressed his opinion the logo sign would obstruct the view of the building. He asked why the sign has to be so massive. He noted he would not have approved the Marshall Ranch sign had it come before him. Boardmember Ransom expressed her opinion a smaller sign would look out of scale with the property. Mr. Prescott agreed. Boardmember Piceno agreed with Boardmember Ransom, stating the scale of the site would dwarf a smaller sign. He stated an eight foot sign would not do anything to obstruct the view or interfere with the aesthetics of the area. He pointed out a 900 space parking lot is located behind the sign. Mr. Prescott reviewed photos of the site and the proposed signs. Vice-chair Ward stated, while he agrees with Board members Piceno and Ransom, he is bothered by the precedence they may be setting. Mr. Jacobs stated every variance is different and considered based on its own merits. He said it is rare to have 26 acres of R1-6 property developed in a non-residential manner. He stated the sign is intended to match the scale of the property, pointing out that landscaping could eventually overgrow a five-foot sign. Boardmember Dietzman noted the church property at 63rd Avenue and Peoria is approximately the same size. He asked if that church has requested any sign variances. Mr. Jacobs was not aware of any request, but pointed out the subject site is larger and has considerably more frontage. Boardmember Ransom noted the church property at 63rd Avenue and Peoria has a very high grade. May 9, 2002 Board of Adjustment Page 6 Mr. Flenner stated the Board's decision would not set a legal precedence because every application stands alone and is considered on its own merits. Mr. Jacobs said the increase in sign area is very slight and easily justified given the scale of the project. Chairperson Drew opened the meeting up for public comment on this case. As no comments were made, he closed the public hearing portion of the case. Boardmember Piceno made a MOTION to APPROVE ZV-02-07, subject to the stipulations contained in the staff report and as presented and referenced by the site plan dated April 11,2002. Vice-chairperson Ward SECONDED the MOTION. Chairperson Drew opened the floor to discussion. Boardmember Castro stated he would now vote in favor of the request. Vice-chair Ward stated, based on Mr. Flenner's assurances the Board would not be setting a precedence, he is no longer concerned about the size increase. Boardmember Piceno stated he supports the variance request. Boardmember Schwartz said he will support the motion. He expressed his opinion the church, in and of itself, is a major sign. Chairperson Drew said he originally intended to vote to deny the request, however, he believes he will now support the request. No further comments were made. Chairperson Drew called for a Roll Call Vote. The MOTION PASSED by a vote of 7 to 0. Chairperson Drew stated anyone wishing to appeal the Board's decision on this item may do so by contacting the Planning Department within 15 calendar days of the date of this action. Chairperson Drew called for Other Business. There was none. Chairperson Drew called for the Planning Staff Report. No report was made. Chairperson Drew called for Board Comments and Suggestions. No comments were made. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. ��.a.// Z.// / 5/ Sally'q.11ward, Recording Secretary