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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Adjustments and Appeals - 10/12/2000 APPROVED MINUTES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS & APPEALS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2000 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road BOARD: Cliff Dunham, Chairperson; William Ford; Louis Giglio; Ismail Ismail and Michael O'Leary STAFF: Jean Johnson, Zoning Administrator Carol Pelzel, Recorder GUESTS: Carol Abullarade and Patrick Mathieu, 6494 Grand View Drive CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Dunham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL—PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Cliff Dunham, Louis Giglio, William Ford, Ismail Ismail and Michael O'Leary (arrived at 7:05 p.m.). I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion/Second: Ismail/Giglio, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried, 4-0. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of August 10, 2000. Motion/Second: Ismail/Giglio, to approve the August 10 minutes as published. Motion carried 2-0-2,with Ford and Giglio abstaining because of absence from that meeting. III: VARIANCES A. Request#2000-10 by Carol Abullarade and Patrick Mathieu for 6494 Grand View Drive to construct an addition to the front of the house which will be 20.6 feet from the front property line (Code requires a front-yard setback of 25 feet). Minutes Board of Adjustments &Appeals October 12, 2000 Patrick Mathieu explained that he and Carol are merging two families and additional eating space is needed. Carol has lived at this location with her daughter for 13 years and the eating space has been sufficient for them. Mathieu said they are asking to be able to enlarge the bay window an additional three-feet out, five-feet from the main wall of the kitchen. Abullarade pointed out that there is no dining room in the house and this is the best place for the addition. Abullarade stated that the addition would go out to the current sidewalk. Mathieu explained that the back lot abuts wetland and the house was built as far forward as possible to protect the wetlands. The house is a walkout design in the back and would not allow adding space to the back of the house. Dunham asked the applicant what other options were considered. He said he feels it is an expensive addition for the small amount of space they will be gaining. He asked if they considered building on the garage side. Abullarade explained that they could build out towards the driveway but all of the plumbing would have to be moved which would not accomplish what they need to accomplish. Building towards the driveway is more complicated than their proposed plan. Ismail asked how many additional feet would be gained by this addition. Mathieu responded that it would be three additional feet from the outer most window, 5-feet additional from the main wall. He explained that they did look at expanding the garage, however, it is already to the lot line. Dunham said he feels a variance request for the side would be a better option. For the little space the petitioner will be gaining, it is a costly addition. Dunham said he feels the money could be better spent if the addition were off to the side. O'Leary believed the alternative would be more costly because of the rooflines and rafters. Abullarade pointed out that they do not need a bigger kitchen, only a larger eating area. Johnson presented the staff report explaining that the Sunset Trails Addition was approved in the mid 1980's with front yard variances for 25 feet versus the district requirement of 30 feet. The purpose was to keep homes closer to the street and minimize the amount of fill required in back yards where the topography drops off. The zoning is R1-9.5. The existing home is set back about 25.6 feet from the front. The bay window is not counted in the front setback because there is no foundation. The request is for a five-foot addition from the main wall of the house to the front property line for a setback of 20.6 feet. Residents within 500 feet of the property were notified and no inquiries were made on the variance. Ford asked if there are any other houses in this area have had variances for a closer setback. Johnson said she is not aware of any. Mathieu pointed out that the way Grand View Drive curves and the location of their house on Grand View Drive, the addition would not be visually obtrusive. Dunham opened the public hearing. Having no one appear, Dunham closed the public hearing. Motion/Second: Giglio/O'Leary to approve Request#2000-10 with the hardships being the topography of the back of the lot and the tight floor plan. 2 Minutes Board of Adjustments &Appeals October 12, 2000 Discussion: Ismail said he did visit the property and does not feel there is any other way the applicant could add to the back or the side of the garage. Ismail said he feels the proposed option is the best option. Vote was called on the motion with all members voting aye except Dunham who voted nay. The motion carried, 4-1. IV. OLD BUSINESS Johnson informed the Board the litigation continues with the Berglund project and the Welcome Home group home on Bryant Lake Drive. VI. NEW BUSINESS Johnson reported that there may be one item for possible consideration at the November 9 meeting. VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion/Second: Giglio/Ford, to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Motion carried, 5-0. 3