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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-11 BAA MINUTES• • • MINUTES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO September 11, 1991 The regular meeting of the Englewood Board of Adjustment and Appeals was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Shaffer at 7:35 p.m. Members present: Seymour, George, Shaffer, Cohn, and Waldman. Members absent: Welker. Also present: Harold Stitt, Staff Advisor Dan Brotzman, Assistant City Attorney The Vice-Chairperson stated that with five members present, four affirmative votes would be required to grant an appeal or a variance. She stated the Board is authorized to grant or deny a variance by Part 3, Section 60 of the Englewood Municipal Code. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Board Member George moved that the minutes of August 14, 1991 be approved as written. Board Member Waldman seconded the motion. All six members voted in favor of the motion, and the Vice-Chairperson ruled the Minutes of August 14, 1991, approved as written. APPROVAL OF FINDINGS OF FACT. Board Member Seymour moved that the Findings of Fact for Case #17-91, Mr. Michael Wolf of 1312 East Bates Street; and Case #18-91, Mr. John Gerlick of 1166 West Princeton Street be approved as written. Board Member Cohn seconded the motion. All five members voted in favor of the motion, and the Vice-Chairperson ruled the Findings of Fact be approved as written. The Vice-Chairperson opened the Public Hearing stating she had proof of publication and explained that in a variance the staff identifies the request, and the applicant and those that wish to speak, are called upon to testify . - 1 - PUBLIC HEARING CASE #19-91: 955 West Oxford Avenue Harold Stitt Staff Advisor was sworn in for testimony. Mr. Stitt stated the applicant, John Tate of the subject property at 955 West Oxford Avenue, was requesting a variance to construct an eight foot gate and fence in the side yard. Mr. Stitt explained that the variance request is from Section 16-4-l?:C,2 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance which section states side yard fences shall not exceed six feet. John Tate 955 West Oxford Avenue was sworn in for testimony. Mr. Tate explained he wanted to enclose the area between the garage and lilac bushes with a sliding gate and fence of approximately 8 feet in height. Mr. Tate stated his purpose was two-fold: to retain his dogs and to secure his property. Mr. Tate further explained he has two large dogs, one of which can jump a seven foot fence, and added that his existing fence is inadequate to contain both of his dogs. Mr. Tate added that he also has several business vehicles that often contain tools, and that the proposed solid fence would provide security for his property. Mr. Tate entered into the record the statements of two (2) neighbors stating they have no opposition to the proposed fence and gate with • addendums at the end of each statement requesting that the design be • aesthetically appealing. Mr. Tate concluded that in his opinion the fence and gate would not adversely affect the neighborhood and that the proposed design would be visually attractive. There were no further speakers for or against the variance. The Vice-Chairperson incorporated the Staff Rep.art and neighbor's statements into the record, and closed the Public Hearing. BOARD MEMBER WALDMAN MADE A MOTION THAT FOR CASE #19-91, THAT MR. JOHN TATE, PROPERTY OWNER OF 955 WEST OXFORD AVENUE, BE GRANTED A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 16-4-l?:C,2. OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE, TO CONSTRUCT AN EIGHT FOOT FENCE. The motion was seconded by Mr. Seymour. Discussion ensued. The members locked in their votes and gave their findings as follows: Board Member Seymour voted "no'' stating he felt there were other ways to contain Mr. Tate's dogs and that the request does not meet the conditions for granting the variance. -2 - • •• • • Board Member Waldman voted "yes" stating he felt the extra footage for the fence would provide minimal relief to the applicant . Board Member Cohn voted "no" stating she felt although it would not interfere with the spirit of the ordinance or affect the adjacent property or neighborhood, there did not seem to be any exceptional circumstances applicable for granting the variance. Board Member George voted "yes" stating she felt the request met the conditions, specifically the public safety issue for insuring the public from the dogs. Vice-Chairperson Shaffer voted "yes' stating she felt it met the minimum relief allowed for granting the variance. When the votes were displayed, three members voted in the affirmative, with two voting in opposition to the variance. The Vice-Chairperson announced the variance as denied. CITY ATTORNEY'S CHOICE: None. STAFF ADVISOR'S CHOICE: Mr. Stitt directed the Boards attention to the letter included in their packet from Becky Baker, Chief Building Inspector, concerning their recommendation regarding Case #14-91, stating that since Ms. Baker could not be at the meeting she wanted to update them on the contact between the Building Division and Alpen Construction. BOARD'S CHOICE: None. With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully yours, Cathie Mahon, Recording Secretary - 3 -