HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Boards of Adjustment - Meeting Date: 3/11/2021MINUTES
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE
GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301
THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021
4:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Committee members present: Chairperson Cathy Cheshier, Vice Chairperson Benjamin Naber,
Tammy Gee, Larry Feiner, and Brian Britton were present.
Committee members absent: Kyle Holschlag
City staff present: Jamsheed Mehta (Development Services Director) David Richert (Planning
Administrator), Alex Lerma (Planner), Russ Romney (Deputy City Attorney), Diana Figueroa
(Administrative Supervisor), and), Alexis Vasquez (Recording Secretary),
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Chairperson Cheshier asked for citizen comments, and no citizen comments were made.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A motion to approve the February 11th, 2021, meeting minutes was made by Vice Chairperson
Naber and seconded by Mr. Britton. All were in favor.
WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES
Mr. Richert announced that there were none.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VARIANCE VAR20-08: A request by Tana Nichols repre-
senting Habitat for Humanity to reduce the required side setbacks to 5 feet along the west prop-
erty line and 10 feet along the east property line where a 20 foot perimeter setback is required in
the R-2 (Multiple Residence) zoning district. The purpose of the variance is to allow the con-
struction of a new single-family home. The site is located at 5329 West Gardenia Avenue in the
Ocotillo District. Staff Contact: Alex Lerma, Planning Project Manager, 623-930-2810.
Staff Findings
The Board of Adjustment must analyze four findings based on the evidence in the record prior to
granting a variance. Each finding is presented below along with staff's analysis.
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 side setbacks required in the R-2, Multiple Residence Zoning District are not typical of sin-
gle-family residential development, and further, not typical of existing development in the area.
The majority of the surrounding are development contains a variety of setbacks that do not meet
the current zoning requirements. The existing homes in the neighborhood are enjoying setback
less than the twenty (20) feet required.
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 classifica-
tion in the same zoning district;
The strict application of the Zoning Ordinance would limit the property to twenty (20) foot side
setbacks and limit the type of housing product to a total width of ten (10) feet. The majority of
the properties in the neighborhood have setbacks that are similar to those proposed by Habitat for
Humanity Central Arizona.
3. The variance is the minimum necessary to alleviate the property hardship; and
The requested side setbacks and minimum lot width reduction are the minimum necessary to
construct a typically sized single-family residential home on the lot. The front and rear setbacks,
as well as the minimum lot depth, and size are in conformance with current R-2 zoning require-
ments.
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.
Recommendation: The variance request appears to meet all four findings and should be ap-
proved. If the Board decides to grant the variance, it should be subject to the following stipula-
tion:
1. Development shall be in conformance with the applicant's project narrative, dated Janu-
ary 13, 2021 and site plan, dated September 28, 2020.
Proposed Motion Move to approve VAR20-08 per the findings and subject to the stipulations
contained in the staff report.
Chairperson Cheshier opened the public hearing, and with no one wishing to speak she closed
the public hearing.
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After the public hearing closed, the board voted per each finding with the help of Mr. Romney.
1. Mr. Britton, Vice Chairperson Naber, Mr. Feiner, Ms. Gee, and Chairperson Cheshier all
vote "aye".
2. Mr. Britton, Vice Chairperson Naber, Mr. Feiner, Ms. Gee, and Chairperson Cheshier all
vote "aye".
3. Mr. Britton, Vice Chairperson Naber, Mr. Feiner, Ms. Gee, and Chairperson Cheshier all
vote "aye".
4. Mr. Britton, Vice Chairperson Naber, Mr. Feiner, Ms. Gee, and Chairperson Cheshier all
vote "aye".
Vice Chairperson Naber made a motion to approve the variance subject to stipulation, and
it was seconded by Mr. Britton. All voted "aye" in favor. Variance granted.
STAFF REPORT
Mr. Richert stated the once the Zoning Ordinance is complete these requests will no longer have
to be heard by the Board of Adjustment.
BOARD COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Chairperson Cheshier had questioned a revision on the Board Member handbook.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 4 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Britton made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and it was seconded by Vice Chair Naber
Naber. All voted "aye" in favor, and none opposed.
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