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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-20 MINUTES ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS MARCH 20. 1995 The regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustments was called to order by Chairman Bill Williams at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Roger Bates. The invocation was given by Jack Hill. MEMBERS AND STAFF PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT Bill Williams Marland Ernest Roger Bates Eddie Price Fred Bowen Jack Hill Randy Byers, Director of Public Works & Development Rod W. Tyler, City Planner Barbara Chambers, Supervisor Linda Lux, Staff Secretary VISITORS Gary Haecker Don Haecker Bill Mann Dennis Robbins REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 1. ZBA #95-02 - LOT 14-R, BLOCK 5, OAK CREST ESTATES ADDITION Request of Mr. Gary K. Haecker for a variance to Section 84-201 (f) of the Euless Code of Ordinances (Parking on Paved Surface Required [in front yards]) located at 403 John Vernon Lane. Chairman Williams gave a brief description of the Zoning Board of Adjustments process and opened the Public Hearing. Rod Tyler, City Planner, stated this application was for a variance to the parking requirements of the Unified Development Code. Section 84-201 of the UDC requires that all parking that ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS MINUTES - PAGE TWO MARCH 20, 1995 occurs at the front of the structure be on all weather surface unless the boat, car, etc. is stored in the rear yard and is screened from view. This applicant has a boat parked on the front portion of the side yard and is not screened. The variance that has been requested would apply to this area. Mr. Gary Haecker began introducing his case by handing out copies if a non-binding survey of neighbors that could see his boat and made a slide presentation. He stated the slides would indicate the amount of congestion in and around his driveway and street area. He informed the Board he did not mind moving the boat onto the driveway, however, he would prefer not to congest the street further. He stated there were five teenagers in the household, three of which owned their own vehicles. When these vehicles are added to the family cars that are parked in the driveway it causes a great deal of congestion at the residence and in the street. He stated that any company or friends that visit add to the problem. Mr. Haecker stated he was not asking for this request to be a permanent variance, only while the teenagers were still at home with vehicles. He stated that one of the teenagers had just recently moved away from home. Mr. Haecker informed the Board that the west side yard is on a grade which would be impractical to pave. The right side yards are narrow with no driveway access and trees/shrubs would have to be removed. He felt this option would also be impractical since the problem would be alleviated when the teenagers leave home. He stated he felt the intent of the ordinance was for residents that had junk and old cars stacked around their house. He stated his boat is so small that his son can move it to mow the yard. He informed the Board that they could put the stipulation of two years on this request because most of the teenagers would be grown. Mr. Bill Mann, 501 John Vernon Lane, stated he lived to the east of Mr. Haecker and he does not think there are any obstructions or problems with the boat being parked in the yard. The yard is not overgrown and there are no bare spots in the yard. Mr. Ram stated he had no objection to the variance being granted. Chairman Williams closed the Public Hearing and opened the floor for discussion among the Board Members. Chairman Williams discussed the possibility of moving the boat into the driveway since one of the cars had left. However, it placed the applicant in the same situation and the same amount of traffic parked on the street. He asked the applicant if he had considered installing a gate on the west side yard and moving the boat into the back yard. Mr. Haecker stated the grade was too steep to install a gate. Board Member Hill suggested moving the gate forward to a point where the ground was level. The Board Members offered several suggestions to help bring the applicant into compliance, however the applicant stated he did not want to spend a large amount of money since this problem was temporary. Board Member Hill stated that "temporary" may mean one thing to the city and another thing to the applicant. He stated the applicant had many other options instead of the variance. Once again the applicant stated he had already spent too much time and money ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS MINUTES - PAGE THREE MARCH 20, 1995 on this request. Chairman Williams explained to the applicant that the Board does not grant variances based on personal preferences but rather on interpretation of the ordinances. They look at each case, not only for current homeowners but also for the future homeowners. A variance is not granted to relieve a personal or a self created hardship. Mr. Haecker stated he did not want personal privileges granted by the board on a permanent basis but rather he wanted a solution for a temporary problem. Mr. Haecker also stated he had a car on one side of his garage that needed repair and this was his hobby. The other side of the garage was filled with tools and other storage. All family vehicles are in the driveway and street area. The Board submitted there were other alternatives. One possibility was a storage shed to relieve one side of the garage so the boat could be stored in the garage or one of the cars could be parked in the garage. The applicant declined the suggestions and options. Mr. Haecker stated he would move the boat to the drive way because it was the simplest and cheapest way of solving the problem. The Board explained to the applicant that they try to maintain consistency with regards to granting variances. Board Member Roger Bates made the motion to deny the request for a variance and the motion was seconded by Board Member Jack Hill. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Board Members Bates, Hill, Price, Bowen, Williams Nays: none The motion carried to deny the variance request. MINUTES: It was reported by Chairman Williams that the minutes from the previous meeting had been approved and signed by mail. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:39 P.M. Chafrm Bill Williams ,,. zba 1032095.min