HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBOA Minutes 2007-02-27 Regular 02/27/2007 ZBOA 006
State of Texas )(
City of Friendswood )(
Counties of Galveston/Harris )(
February 27, 2007 )(
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Friendswood Zoning Board of Adjustment that was held on
Tuesday, February 27, 2007, at 7:00 PM at Friendswood City Hall Council Chambers, 910 S.
Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas,with the following present constituting a quorum:
Chairman Ron Decker
Vice Chairman Greg Hughes
Regular Member David O'Brien, III
Regular Member Steve Knis
Regular Member Elisabeth Wagner
Alternate Member Mike Czarowitz
Alternate Member Linda Thornton
City Attorney Alison Holland
Building Official Frank Manigold
Staff Liaison Melinda Welsh
Alternate members Mike McDonald and Ric Miller were absent from the meeting.
Chairman Ron Decker called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
7:00 PM—REGULAR SESSION
Chairman Decker explained the process of the public hearing.
Chairman Decker called the hearing to order to receive public input regarding seeking a variance of
rear setback from the requirement of 25 ft., for property located at 5246 Apple Blossom, situated in
Lot 12, Block 25, Section 5, Wedgewood Village Subdivision, Harris County, Texas, to build a
bedroom and handicap bath to home that will extend no closer than 10 ft. from the rear boundary
line. Variance request from the requirements of Appendix C, Section 7, Regulation Matrix
Residential District 7.Q.3 of the Friendswood City Code
Eleanor Hanna, 5246 Apple Blossom, stated she is the applicant and needs to build a room for her
elderly mother and needs it on the back of her house, has nowhere else to build, wants to have
windows on the side, handicap bathroom, door on the side and living room, thought about moving
but her husband has lung cancer and would be too much turmoil, and asked can anything be done to
build this room.
Chairman Decker asked if anyone else would like to speak.
Jim Rayburn, 106 David Glenn, stated he is a neighbor and also a care giver because his wife has
cancer,and supports Mrs. Hanna 100%.
02/27/2007 ZBOA 007
No one spoke against the proposed request.
Hearing no further input the Public Hearing was closed.
Discussion was held among the Zoning Board members, Building Inspector, applicant and City
Attorney regarding this request for a variance. The discussion included Boardmember Wagner
asking would it be possible to adjust the plans to make it not go longer and do the width of the house
instead, Mrs. Hanna answered she is doing it that way for the windows, does not want to close the
room, it would still be too narrow if she moved it around, Chairman Decker asked if she wants to put
a bathroom and closet in the narrow end and she said yes, Boardmember Knis asked because of the
width of the lot would it not be considered a substandard lot, Chairman Decker answered yes and
further stated existing properties that were built before zoning were grandfathered but if they have
new construction they have to be compliant. Building Official Frank Manigold stated that the City
annexed that portion of Harris County where the house is located, Chairman Decker stated any new
additions have to be compliant though, Mrs. Hanna stated it can only move back five feet, Chairman
Decker asked if her preference is having the windows on the outside, Boardmembers asked several
more clarifying questions, Mrs. Hanna stated they will close the fireplace, Boardmember Knis asked
what is behind the property, Mrs. Hanna answered that there is another subdivision behind her, has a
common fence with their neighbor behind, their back yards abut, Vice Chair Hughes asked if the
room she was adding was 18 x 24 and she said yes, with Mr. Hughes further stating it would make
more sense to turn sideways and be a smaller encroachment, also stated this was a very large room,
Mrs. Hanna informed that her Mother says she wants a bigger room since she will live the rest of her
life in it, Boardmember O'Brien stated it would be easier to turn the room around to make it not so
long since it would not be as near the encroachment, Chairmen Decker stated that part of the
consideration is aesthetics and part is drainage, Frank Manigold stated if they turn it you cannot
cover up the bedroom window for egress, Boardmember O'Brien stated that the only way they could
possibly grant is for a medical hardship, Mrs. Hanna informed that none of the other bedrooms are in
the back, is only living area, Boardmember Czarowitz asked if Mrs. Hanna considered putting the
bedroom in the courtyard and Mrs. Hanna stated you would walk in the bedroom to get in the house
and it would cover up all her windows.
**Boardmember Hughes made a motion to approve the variance as requested for property located at
5246 Apple Blossom.
Seconded by Boardmember O'Brien. The motion failed unanimously.
**Boardmember Wagner made a motion to approve the minutes of January 23,2007 meeting.
Seconded by Boardmember Hughes. The motion was approved unanimously.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 7:32 PM.
Ron Decker
Chairman
02/27/2007 ZBOA 008
Attest:
Ca \ V.
Melinda Welsh, Deputy City Secretary
ZBOA Staff Liaison