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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBOA Minutes 2016-08-23 RegularZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING HELD TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016 AT 7:00 I'M CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm with the following people in attendance: Chairman Greg Hughes Regular Member David O'Brien, III Vice Chairman Ron Dyer Regular Member Delvin Kendrick Alternate Member Mike Czarowitz Becky Summers, Development Coordinator City Attorney Arnold Polanco Board Secretary/City Planner Aubrey Harbin Brian Rouane, Building Official City Council Liaison Richard Sasson Alternate members present: Glenn Mintz, Linda Thornton Absent: Steve Knis, Glen Grayban Chairman Hughes explained the procedure of the meeting and explained that 4 out of 5 votes are required in order for a request to be approved. He stated that if a request is not granted, the applicant has 10 days to file an appeal to Galveston County. Chairman Hughes administered an oath to everyone who would be speaking during the meeting. 2. The Board conducted a public hearing to consider a request to reduce the required rear yard setback from the required 25 feet to 17 feet on the property located at 911 FIackberry Lane, a, acre tract of land known as Lot 26, Block 2 the Friendswood Section 7, Friendswood, Texas, Galveston County, A. Staff Presentation Brian Rouane, Chief Building Official, stated the applicant submitted a permit application requesting to build an attached covered patio ending 17-feet from the rear fence. He explained the Subdivision ordinance requires a 25-foot setback from the rear property line for structures attached to the main building. B. Applicant Presentation Mr•. Smith, applicant, said he and his wife would like to extend their patio cover but due to a 10-foot easement and 2546ot rear setback, their application was denied. He explained the structure would not impact any of his neighbors. He said the neighbor on the left has a pool house in roughly the same spot in their yard. Mr. Smith said the alternative would be to build behind the garage which he felt was too far away from the pool or to detach the covered patio. He said a detached structure would require more engineering due to windstorm requirements in the area. C. Public Comments None D. Consideration of Evidence by Board Chairman Hughes said the reason for setbacks was to protect the visibility of surrounding lots. He said the neighbor at 515 Twin Pines already has a similar structure. Hughes described the photographs provided by the applicant to get his bearings. Ron Dyer asked if the patio would be the same width, only longer. Mr. Smith stated it would. Dyer asked Rouane if the neighbor at 515 Twin Pines received a variance to build their pool house so far back. Rouane stated the neighbor's pool house was a detached structure which required a 10-foot setback as opposed to a 25-foot setback. Dyer asked for clarification that the variance was being requested because the structure was attached. Rouane stated the applicant was advised the structures could be separated by 5-foot to allow a decreased setback. Mr. Smith said detaching the structure would require more materials. He said he would have to jump through extra hoops to meet the windstorm requirements. Dyer asked the applicant if he was aware of the alternative to detach the patio. Mr. Smith said he was informed. O'Brien said the ordinance was written with standard lot sizes and shapes in mind. He said the rear neighbor was not a standard sized lot and would not be affected by allowing the patio cover. Dyer asked about the neighbor at 909 Hackbeny Ln. Mr. Smith said the garage already blocks their view. Kendrick motioned to approve the variance. Hughes suggested the motion be amended to include the five variance requirements. 1) A variance from Appendix C -Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.Q.2 Regulation Matrix — Residential Districts Motion to approve: Kendrick Second: O'Brien Vote: 5-0 (unanimous) Motion Approved Consideration and possible action regarding approval of minutes for the: A. May 24, 2016 regular meeting Motion to approve: Dyer Second: Czarowitz Vote: 5-0 (unanimous) Motion Approved 4. Comments from Board Members O'Brien asked for clarification on whether the board would accept written testimony from people not present at the meetings. Hughes suggested the topic be placed on a future agenda. 5. Staff and/or Council or Board Liaison Reports Aubrey Harbin/City Planner introduced the new ZBOA Liaison for the Planning and Zoning Commission, Richard Sasson. 6. The meeting was adjourned at 7:23pm. 2