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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBOA Minutes Nov 18, 2025CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025 - 6:00 PM Minutes MINUTES OF A FRIENDSWOOD REGULAR MEETING HELD AT 416 MORNINGSIDE DR, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS 77546, FRIENDSWOOD ACTIVITY CENTER STATE OF TEXAS CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS NOVEMBER 18, 2025 1.CALL TO ORDER 2.ACTION ITEMS A.Administer the Oath of Office to new board member Kurt Buske. Board Secretary/Assistant Planner Bennett administered the oath of office to members Kurt Buske, Michael Fernandez, Glenn Mintz, and Jim Gibson. B. Consider election of a chairperson and vice chairperson. Vice Chairman Grayban volunteered for the position of Chairman. He said absent Board Member Jason Byers was interested in acting as Chair or Vice Chairman, as well. Grayban asked for any other nominations or volunteers, to which there were none. **Board Member Glenn Mintz moved to elect Glen Grayban as Chairman. Seconded by Board Member Michael Fernandez. The motion was approved unanimously. **Board Member Glenn Mintz moved to elect Jason Byers as Vice Chairman. Seconded by Board Member Michael Fernandez. The motion was approved unanimously. 3. PRESENTATION A. Receive a presentation from City Attorney Karen Horner regarding the role of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. City Attorney Karen Horner presented information to the board regarding the Public Information Act, conflicts of interest, rules of procedure, and duties. 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC A. In order to comply with provisions of the Open Meetings Act, the Board may not deliberate on subjects discussed under this agenda item. However, the Board may direct such subjects to be placed on a later regular agenda for discussion and/or possible action. None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Consider approving the minutes of the Zoning Board of Adjustment regular meeting held Tuesday, December 17, 2024. **Board Member Glenn Mintz moved to approve the minutes of the Zoning Board of Adjustment regular meeting held Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Seconded by Board Member Les French. The motion was approved unanimously. 6. VARIANCE A. Conduct a public hearing concerning a request for a variance to allow a structure to encroach 8-inches into the required 40-foot platted front yard setback, being a variance from the recorded plat of Longwood Park subdivision, being more restrictive than Appendix C, Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.Q.2. "Regulation Matrix - Residential." Chairman Grayban opened the hearing at 18:17. Building Official Brian Rouane explained that the applicant applied for a permit to construct a new garage and associated living quarters, the plans were compliant, and the permit was issued. He said the contractor/owner later self-reported that the garage foundation was found to be 8-inches past the front building line. Rouane relayed that the contractor did not realize the error until the foundation concrete had been poured and framing was installed. Kent Saldana, owner and contractor, said the form survey was ordered prior to pouring the foundation concrete. However, the project moved quickly. He said standard protocol is to receive the completed form survey from the surveying company within 24 to 48 hours. Saldana explained the head surveyor must review the survey form and, unfortunately, the surveyor was out of the office due to pneumonia. Saldana said the concrete and framing was completed within 5 days due to the small size of the project and the error was not found until it was too late. He added that the only remedy at this stage would be to tear down the structure and start over. Saldana stated his subdivision has a 40-foot front building line which is deeper than the standard 25-foot build line required by the city. He said some of the houses further down his street are not within the platted boundaries of his subdivision and only sit 25-feet back. Saldana commented he does not feel that the 8-inch encroachment is detrimental nor an eyesore and requested a variance from the board. Dick Venier at 2401 John Ave spoke in favor of the variance. Clint Barghi at 1310 Thomas Drive spoke in favor of the variance. He said that tearing down the structure and rebuilding would impact the neighbors with additional construction. Kent Saldana closed by directing the board to the submitted pictures, which he feels show the encroachment is not intrusive. Chairman Grayban closed the hearing at 18:27. B. Consider granting a variance to allow a structure to encroach 8-inches into the required 40-foot platted front yard setback, being a variance from the recorded plat of Longwood Park subdivision, being more restrictive than Appendix C, Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.Q.2. "Regulation Matrix - Residential." Board Member Mintz asked Building Official Rouane if the current front setback for the city is 25- feet. Rouane answered that the city's minimum front setback is 25 feet but that many subdivisions have different or greater setbacks. Board Member Les French commented that the pictures show the structure at the frame stage and asked if that is the current state of the project. Rouane replied that he had not been out to the property since inspections had been requested while working through the variance request. Board Member Jim Gibson asked if the city directed the contractor to stop work. Rouane answered that a stop work order was not issued. Chairman Grayban asked what impact the granted variance would have on the city. Rouane replied that if there was any impact it would be on the neighbors, and be negligible to the city. **Chairman Glen Grayban moved to approve granting a variance to allow a structure to encroach 8- inches into the required 40-foot platted front yard setback, being a variance from the recorded plat of Longwood Park subdivision, being more restrictive than Appendix C, Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.Q.2. "Regulation Matrix - Residential." Seconded by Board Member Glenn Mintz. The motion was approved unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATIONS A. Receive Council Liaison and Board Member comments concerning items of community interest and/or future agenda items. Councilman Joe Matranga said that the board does not meet very often, but its job is huge. He thanked the members for volunteering their time to the city. 8. ADJOURNMENT This meeting was adjourned at 06:32 PM.