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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-20 BAA MINUTES.. • • • HINlffES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS ENGLEWOOD. COLORADO OCTOBER 20. 1993 The regular meeting of the Englewood Board of Adjustment and Appeals was called to order by Chair Waldman at 7:30 p.m. Members present: Seymour, George, Smith, Clayton, Welker, and Waldman. Members absent : Cohn. Also present: Dan Brotzman, Assistant City Attorney Harold Stitt, Planning Administrator The Chair stated that with six members present, five affirmative votes would be required to grant an appeal or a variance. The Chair 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 Seymour moved that the minutes of September 8 , 1993, be approved as written. Board Member Welker seconded the motion. Upon the call for a vote on the motion, all six members voted in favor of the motion, and the Chair ruled the minutes for September 8, 1993, approved as written . PUBLIC HEARING -CASE #7-93: 2355 West Hillside Avenue The Chair opened the Public Hearing stating the procedure for the meeting would begin with the variance request identified by City Staff, and the applicant and those that wish to speak would then have the opportunity to be heard. The Chair advised that any person(s) aggrieved by the Board's decision has the right to have the decision reviewed by the District Court of Arapahoe County and must file within thirty (30) days from the date of their decision. The Chair opened the Public Hearing stating he had proof of publication and posting, and asked the staff to identify the request . "' Harold Stitt • Planning Administrator was sworn in for testimony. Mr. Stitt stated that the applicant, Mr. Wallace Claridge, who resides at 6586 South Crocker Street, Littleton, is the property owner of the subject property at 2355 West Hillside Avenue. Mr. Stitt explained that the request is for an amendment to Case #24-83, at which time a variance was granted to permit the construction of three (3) two-family structures on the subject property. Mr. Stitt stated that the amendment would permit, in addition to the three two-family structures, three single-family structures on the subject property. Mr . Stitt advised the Board that since no development has occurred on the subject property, that the variance is technically still in effect because the Zoning Ordinance in 1983 did not specify that action (obtaining a building permit) be taken within 180 days from the date the variance is granted. Mr. Stitt concluded that the staff was recommending that the request be approved on the basis that single-family structures would lessen the density of the development and broaden the development potential of the property. The Chairman asked the applicant to come forward for testimony. Oran Claridge 540 East Amherst Avenue • Englewood, Colorado was sworn in for testimony. Oran Claridge explained he shared ownership of the subject property with his father and would testify in his behalf. Mr. Claridge stated that when the variance was granted in 1983 to construct duplexes, it was their intention to develop the site and provide affordable housing for families. Mr. Claridge stated they were not able to develop the property with duplexes, and stated that he was currently of the opinion that three single-family units would be more conducive with development of the site. Mr. Claridge concluded that they have a prospective buyer contingent upon the amendment being granted to permit the construction of single-family structures on the subject property .. Mr. Claridge entered into the record statements from two neighbors in favor of the request. The Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to testify in favor of the request. Michael Brady, Brady Construction was sworn in for testimony. Mr . Brady stated he was the prospective buyer of the subject property and was of the opinion that three single-family structures would be conducive to the neighborhood. Mr. Brady concluded that the building envelope for the placement of the structures would have a five foot (5') side yard setback, be ten feet (10') between structures. and that the twenty-five foot front yard setback would be observed . 2 • • • • The Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to testify in opposition to the request. Steven Puryear, 2320 West Harvard Avenue was sworn in for testimony. Mr. Puryear stated that he was present at the public hearing in 1983 for the subject property and at that time voiced his opinion against the proposal, and remained in opposition to it. Mr. Puryear stated that he was of the opinion that there was an abundance of rentals in the neighborhood, that there were parking problems, and that he was of the opinion that properties in the area would be devalued. Mr. Puryear concluded that in his opinion having three units on two lots should not be allowed on the subject property. Billy Miller, 2319 West Harvard Avenue was sworn in for test i many. Mr. Mi 11 er stated that he agreed with previously stated statements by Mr. Puryear and concluded that he was of the opinion that three units should not be allowed on two lots. Doreen Goldstein, 2272 West Hillside Avenue was sworn in for testimony. Ms. Goldstein stated she is part-owner of a duplex across the street from the subject property. Ms. Goldstein stated her concerns are : the structures that are duplexes in the neighborhood are placed too close together. and the yard are too small with virtually no yard in the front and a limited area in the back of the houses. Ms . Goldstein concluded that she was also concerned with the devaluation of her property. There were no further speakers for or against the variance request. Discussion ensued concerning placing a condition in the motion that wou 1 d specify either single-family or duplexes would be constructed on the subject property . After further discussion, the Chair requested the applicant approach the podium. Oran Claridge 2355 West Hillside Avenue approached the podium. When questioned if he would rescind the variance granted in 1983 to build duplexes and agree instead to three single-family dwe 11 i ngs only, he stated that although it was the intent of their prospective buyer, Mr. Brady, to build single family units, he was not willing to rescind the right of his variance granted in 1983 to build duplexes. The Chair incorporated the Staff Report into the record and closed the public hearing . 3 BOARD MEMBER SEYMOUR MADE A MOTION THAT FOR CASE #7-93, FOR MR. WALLACE CLARIDGE. • PROPERTY OWNER OF 2355 WEST HILLSIDE AVENUE, TO AMEND CASE #24-83, WHICH GRANTED A VARIANCE THAT PERMITTED THREE (3) TWO-FAMILY STRUCTURES TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY, AN AMENDMENT TO PERMIT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE (3) SINGLE-FAMILY STRUCTURES TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. Board Member Smith seconded the motion. Discussion ensued. Board Member Clayton made a motion to amend the motion to include the following conditions as follows: OR AND AND THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS: 1.) THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE SINGLE-FAMILY STRUCTURES ONLY; 2.) THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE TWO-FAMILY STRUCTURES ONLY; 3.) THAT THERE BE NO CHANGE IN THE CONFIGURATION AND NUMBER OF FAMILY STRUCTURES ONCE CONSTRUCTION ON THE FIRST STRUCTURE HAS BEGUN; 4.) THAT CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE OR TWO-FAMILY STRUCTURE SHALL ACT AS A WAIVER OF THE VARIANCE FOR THE TYPE OF STRUCTURE NOT CHOSEN. Board Member Seymour agreed to the amended motion and Board Member Smith seconded • the amended motion. The members locked in their votes and gave their findings as follows: Board Member Smith voted "yes" stating that in his opinion granting the amendment observes the spirit of the ordinance, would not adversely affect the neighborhood or adjacent properties and would be consistent with what is present in the area. Board Member Clayton voted "yes" stating that he favored three single-family units instead of three duplexes. Board Member Welker voted "yes" concurring with previous statements from other members. Board Member George voted "yes" concurring, adding that in her opinion the single-family units would be better than the duplexes. Board Member Seymour voted "yes" concurring. Chair Waldman voted "yes" concurring. When the votes were displayed, all six members had voted in the affirmative. The Chair announced that the amendment to Case #24-93 granted and directed to the applicant that the variance is active for 180 days from this decision . 4 • I , • • • PUBLIC CASE -#9-93 3400 South Race Street The Chairman opened the Public Hearing stating he had proof of publication and posting, and asked the staff to identify the request. Harold Stitt Planning Administrator stating the applicant, Kent Village Townhouse Association, represented by L.C. Fulenwider, Inc., Agent, request was for a variance to construct a twelve foot solid privacy fence along the east property line, for a distance of 130 feet from the southeast corner of the property. This would be a variance from the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, Section 16·4· 17:C,3. rear yard fences, maximum height of six feet. The Chairman asked the applicant to come forward for testimony. Jenna Penn, Property Manager for Kent Village Townhouse Association L.C. Fulenwider, Inc. 1125 17th street, #2500 Denver, Colorado was sworn in for testimony. Ms. Penn stated the request for the fence height was to provide security and privacy for the residents at Kent Village. Ms. Penn further explained that the southeast corner area around the pool and clubhouse was parallel to Hampden Avenue and their concern is with the residents security, and traffic noise. Ms. Penn stated that for the sake of the residents, the extension of the fence would provide security and safety, and reduce some of the traffic noise from Hampden Avenue. Ms. Penn submitted for the record a statement from their neighbor, the Denver Seminary, stating they had no objection to the request. Ms. Penn concluded that the variance would substantially benefit the Kent Village residents, would not adversely affect their adjacent neighbors, the Denver Seminary, and that no further modifications would be requested. The Chairman asked if there was anyone present in the audience who wished to testify. The Chair incorporated the Staff Report and closed the public hearing. BOARD MEMBER WELKER MADE A MOTION THAT A VARIANCE BE GRANTED FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE, SECTION 16-4-17:C,3, REAR YARD FENCE MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF SIX FEET, FOR CASE #9-93, FOR THE SUBJECT PROPERTY AT 3400 SOUTH RACE, KENT VILLAGE TOWNHOUSE ASSOCIATION, TO CONSTRUCT A TWELVE FOOT SOLID PRIVACY FENCE 130 FEET ALONG THE SOUTHEAST PROPERTY LINE. Board Member Smith seconded the motion. The members locked in their votes and gave their findings as follows: 5 Board Member Clayton voted "yes " stating the request meets the conditions for • granting the variance. Board Member Welker voted "yes" concurring . Board Member George voted "yes " stating the conditions were met. Board Member Seymour voted "yes". Board Member Smith voted "yes". Chair Waldman voted "yes" stating it observes the spirit of the Ordinance, will not adversely affect the adjacent property, and grants the app l icant the minimum variance with the least modification of the Ordinance . When the votes were displayed all six members had voted in the affirmative. The Chair directed to the applicant that the fence was approved , 6-0, and informed the applicant that the building permit for the fence must be filed within 180 days from the date of this decision . STAFF ADVISORS CHOICE: Harold Stitt directed the Board to review the handout he provided concerning the concrete and paving districts issue that will be on the November ballot. Mr . Stitt also informed the Board members that as a result of trimming the 1994 • City budget , members serving on boards and commission pay was being eliminated. CITY ATTORNEY'S CHOICE: None. BOARD MEMBER CHOICE: None. With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m . Respectfully submitted, Cathie Mahon, Recording Secretary 6 •