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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-14 BAA MINUTES~. • • MINUTES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS ENGLEWOOD. COLORADO SEPTEMBER .14. 1994 The regular meeting of the Englewood Board of Adjustment and Appeals was called to order by Chairman Waldman at 7:30 p.m. Members present: Seymour, Christman, Smith, Clayton, Cohn, Welker, Waldman. Members absent: None. Also present: Dan Brotzman, Assistant City Attorney. Chairman Waldman stated that with seven members present, five affirmative votes will be required to grant an appeal or a variance . APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 10, 1994 Seymour moved: Clayton seconded: The Minutes of August 12, 1994, be approved as written. AYES: Seymour. Christman, Smith, Clayton, Welker, Cohn, and Waldman. NAYS: None. Chairman Waldman ruled the Minutes be approved as written. PUBLIC HE.ARING -CASE #13-94 RE-HE.ARING: Robert Mennenga 4820 South Elati Street The Chairman opened the Public Hearing stating he had proof of publication and posting. He clarified that the rehearing was requested by the applicant to hear additional evidence not heard at the July 13, 1994 meeting. The Chairman stated that Mr. Mennenga's request was for a variance from Section 16·4·2:!,l. Minimum Side Yard, to encroach five feet into the required 11 foot side yard setback. The Chairman added that Mr. Mennenga's new evidence was a revised plot plan and seven statements from neighbors in favor of the variance. The Chairman asked the applicant to come forward for testimony . Mr. Robert Mennenga 4820 South Elati Street was sworn in for testimony. Mr. Mennenga stated that his wife has arthritis and that navigating the stairs to the 1 aundry room in the basement is difficult for her. He added that their mother-in-law resides with them, and having the extra room on the main floor would be beneficial to the entire family. He explained that his intent was to expand the living quarters upstairs by enlarging the kitchen, adding a bathroom, and moving the laundry room upstairs. He stated that the existing one-car would be included in the addition to convert it into a two-car garage. Mr. Mennenga stated the new evidence is the submittal of a more detailed p 1 ot p 1 an and the seven statements from his neighbors in favor of his variance request. Mr. Mennenga addressed the conditions for granting a variance stating that the variance will observe the spirit of the Ordinance, will not adversely effect the public safety and welfare of the neighborhood, and will afford relief with the least modification possible. Mr. Mennenga concluded his testimony stating that placing the addition to the rear of the property was not an option because it wou 1 d not be structura 11 y conducive to the house, and because the sewer 1 i ne runs through that area of the property. There was no further testimony. The Chairman incorporated the staff report and neighbors statements into the record and closed the Public Hearing. BOARD MEMBER SEYMOUR MOVED THAT FOR CASE #13-94-REHEARING, THAT THE APPLICANT, ROBERT MENNENGA, 4820 SOUTH ELATI STREET, BE GRANTED A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 16- 4-2: I. l. MINIMUM SIDE YARD, TO ENCROACH 5 FEET INTO THE REQUIRED 11 FOOT SIDE YARD SETBACK. Board Member Welker seconded the motion. Discussion ensued. The Chairman asked the members to lock in their votes and give their findings of fact. Ms. Christman voted "yes" stating that the request meets the criteria for granting a variance: that the property is exceptional, that it would observe the spirit of the Ordinance, would not adversely affect the neighborhood or impair the adjacent property, and is the minimum variance that will afford relief with the least modification of the Ordinance. Ms. Cohn voted "yes" stating that it would not affect the neighborhood as evidenced from the seven neighbors statements, and that the proposed placement for the addition would leave fifteen feet between the two houses. 2 • • •• • • Mr. Seymour voted "yes" stating that the detailed plot plan was a factor in illustrating that the property is exceptional because of the placement of the retaining wall along the rear of the property, the sewer line location, and the miscellaneous landscaping. Mr. Welker ·voted "yes" stating that although there are other options for placement of the addition, that architecturally the proposed placement was the · best solution. Mr. Smith voted "yes" stating he concurred with the previously stated statements by Board members. Mr. Clayton voted "no" stating in his opinion the property was not exceptional, that the setbacks should be adhered to, and that other options should be considered. Chairman Waldman voted "yes" stating he agreed with previous statements by board members. When the votes were displayed, six members voted in the affirmative, with one member vot i ng against the motion . The Chairman announced the variance as granted, instructing the applicant to apply for the necessary permits from the Building Department within six months . CITY ATTORNEY CHOICE: Mr . Brotzman reminded the Board that the handbook was pending their review. Discussion ensued and it was concluded that if there are no cases to be heard in November that an informal meeting be called in order to finalize the handbook by the end of the year. BOARD HEHBERS CHOICE: The Chairman continued from the last meeting the topic of training funds for Board members and stated that a letter will be directed to City Council to request that funds be included in the 1995 budget. With no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. Respectfully yours, 3