HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBOA Minutes 2008-03-25 Regular03/25/2008 ZBOA 034
State of Texas )(
City of Friendswood )(
Counties of Galveston/Harris )(
March 25, 2008 )(
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Friendswood Zoning Board of Adjustment that was held on
Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 7:00 PM at Friendswood City Hall Second Floor Conference Room, 910 S.
Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, with the following present constituting a quorum:
Chairman Greg Hughes
Regular Member David O’Brien, III
Regular Member Ronald Dyer
Regular Member Delvin Kendrick
Alternate Member Mike Czarowitz
Alternate Member Linda Thornton
Alternate Member Carol Thelen
Alternate Member Glen Grayban
City Attorney Bobby Gervais
Building Official Frank Manigold
Staff Liaison Sharon Parks
Vice Chairman Steve Knis was absent from the meeting.
Chairman Greg Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
7:00 PM – REGULAR SESSION
Chairman Hughes explained the process for holding the public hearing.
Chairman Hughes appointed alternate member Mike Czarowitz as a regular voting member for this
meeting due to Vice Chairman Steve Knis’ absence.
Chairman Hughes called the hearing to order to receive public input regarding a variance for property
located at Terra Bella Subdivision, Section 1, Bay Area Boulevard, Harris County, Texas, requesting a
variance of the front setback requirements of Appendix C – Zoning, Section 7.Q.3.H., Regulation Matrix-
Residential Districts, of the Friendswood City Code to allow exemption of additional five (5) foot
setback.
Chris Graham, TMT owner, and Gordon Miller, builder of Terra Bella Subdivision, applicants, asked for
clarification and/or an affirmative statement from the Board that the building line on the approved plot
plan is the building line that they can rely on for building their houses. Mr. Miller stated that changing
the building line would effectively reduce the usable size of the lot , anything less than 78 feet would
change the price of the house and would make it like a small starter home which the land price would not
support, and further stated that a lot of money had been put into the floodplain and other improvements so
they would like to salvage the project.
Chairman Hughes asked if anyone would like to speak for the proposed request.
Lloyd Trevino from Patriot Bank stated he would like to speak in favor of the project and that his bank
loaned money for the project relying on the documentation which was provided as true and correct.
03/25/2008 ZBOA 035
Kevin Holland, Friendswood resident, stated he was Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission
at the time the project was started, spoke in favor of the project and stated that he signed off on the plat.
Boardmember Dyer asked Mr. Holland if it was the City’s intent, at the time the drawing was made, that
this was the way the subdivision was going to be built. Mr. Holland replied yes. Community
Development Director Les McMahon reiterated what Mr. Holland stated about the project and that a
variance should be given.
Chairman Hughes asked if anyone would like to speak against the proposed request.
Hearing no further input, the Public Hearing was closed.
**Boardmember Czarowitz moved to approve the variance for the Terra Bella Subdivision as requested.
Seconded by Boardmember Kendrick. The motion was approved unanimously.
Chairman Hughes called the hearing to order to receive public input regarding a variance for property
located at 1529 Sunmeadow Boulevard (Tract C), Lot 1, Block 1, Fairway Estates Subdivision, Galveston
County, Texas of required ten (10) foot rear yard setback of Appendix C – Zoning, Section 7.Q.3.,
Regulations Matrix Residential Districts of the Friendswood City Code to allow a wooden deck patio with
cover already constructed beyond the rear yard setback.
Diane Wilson, applicant, stated that her builder, Bayway Homes, told her that she coul d build a deck as
long as she did not interfere with the drainage of the water, Homeowner’s Association approved her plans
to build a deck and no one said she needed a City permit so she did not apply for one. She further stated
that the deck was not permanent because it can be moved so she asked for a variance on the utility
easement.
Chairman Hughes asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of the proposed request.
Woody Seybert, Friendswood resident, stated he would like to speak in favor of the variance. He further
stated that he was also told by his builder, Bayway Homes, that he could build a deck as long as it did not
impede the flow of water.
Jim Thomas, Friendswood resident, stated he would like to speak in favor of the variance.
Chairman Hughes asked if anyone would like to speak against the proposed request.
Hearing no further input, the Public Hearing was closed.
Boardmember Dyer asked Deputy Director/Planning and Building Regulations Frank Manigold if the
City would have allowed the deck to be built. Mr. Manigold stated that the City would not have allowed
the deck to be built because of the setback. There was additional discussion regarding public and private
easements, standards for building decks, and permanent and temporary structures.
**Boardmember Dyer moved to approve the variance as requested for 1529 Sunmeadow Boulevard.
Seconded by Boardmember O’Brien. The motion failed unanimously.
Deputy Director/Planning and Building Regulations Frank Manigold stated he will send the applicant
options for an appeal.
03/25/2008 ZBOA 036
**Boardmember Czarowitz moved to approve the minutes for December 18, 2007.
Boardmember Kendrick seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 8:00 PM.
_______________________________
Greg Hughes
Chairman
Attest:
___________________________
Sharon Parks, Administrative Secretary
ZBOA Staff Liaison