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01 MAY 14 MINUTES: BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT DATE AND TIME: May 14, 2001/ 6:00 p.m. 6:28 p.m. ATTENDANCE: Chairman Mark Perry, Commissioners: John Hardwick, and Martha Boyd City Engineer Whisker _______________________________________________________________________ City Clerk Susan Davitt recorded those listed above in attendance and Chairman Perry declared a quorum. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Commissioner Lester moved, seconded by Commissioner Hardwick to approve the minutes of the regular Board of Adjustment meeting of April 23, 2001 as presented. MOTION CARRIED. VARIANCE(S) REQUESTED: BILLBOARD REVIEW 2525 JOHN HARDEN DRIVE Chairman Perry opened the public hearing at approximately 6:02 p.m. Petitioner Randy Gilley of Outdoor Management Services related that he would like obtain a billboard permission statement for the Highway Department. He stated that he has met with the City Engineer and believes that he complies with all regulations regarding billboards. He stated that the billboard also meets with State requirements. He related that the billboard will be 12’ X 40’ with a height of 45 feet. He stated that it would be above the building so as not to obstruct traffic view. He stated that it would be a single pole, back to back billboard. Chairman Perry closed the public hearing at approximately 6:04 p.m. In response to a question from Commissioner Hardwick, City Engineer Whisker stated that he did not believe there is a billboard to the south that would interfere with the request. He stated that the billboard location opened when a billboard to the north was moved further north a few hundred feet. He stated that the requested billboard is approximately 1056 feet from the billboard located to the north, adding that the minimum distance is 1000 feet. In addressing visibility and wiring concerns, City Engineer Whisker related that Entergy requires 10 feet and the request is proposed to be 16 feet from the existing wiring. He noted that a sign would draw attention to the fact that there are overhead lines. He stated that from an engineering aspect the proposed billboard meets with all regulations of 1000 feet distance, 250 feet across the road perpendicular to both sides, adding that the closet billboard is across the street 600 feet in distance. Commissioner Hardwick expressed concerns for the aesthetic issues and the power lines regarding efforts to beautify the Air Base entrance. In response to a question from Chairman Perry, City Engineer Whisker related that the sign would be located directly at the Air Base exit ramp. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT May 14, 2001 continued: Mr. Gilley stated that the sign is still 700 feet from the Air Base exit itself, mentioning that the sign is 25 feet above as far as traffic coming to that road. He stated that the main transfer line would be the biggest concern and the sign will still be above that 15 to 20 feet. Commissioner Hardwick stated that he felt the sign ordinance may need to be reviewed for change. Commissioner Hardwick moved, seconded by Commissioner Boyd to approve the application for a billboard at 2525 John Harden Drive. MOTION CARRIED. b. FRONT YARD SETBACK VARIANCE 2107 STEEPLE CHASE Chairman Perry opened the public hearing at approximately 6:09 p.m. Petitioner Terry Coffman of Diamond Homes related that the homeowners are requesting a variance for 1 ½ feet from the 35-foot setback for the construction of a 6 X 19 foot porch across the front of the home. He related that the currently the home has no type of porch over the front door. He stated that it is a two-story house, and that aesthetically it would be more appealing for the neighborhood. He related that the house burned during the ice storm and the owners have decided to construct a front porch during the renovation. Chairman Perry closed the public hearing at approximately 6:12 p.m. Commissioner Hardwick stated that he believed that the house was constructed as a New England Salt Box and the porch addition looks colonial. He stated concerns, saying that setback requirements keep homes set back from the street. He related that he drove through Steeple Chase and other areas, but could not spot any other homes that had been granted this type of variance. He questioned if there is some way the porch could be constructed at 4 ½ feet instead of the requested 6 feet and still accomplish the same purpose. Mr. Scott Keith of Diamond Homes explained that the upper level is liveried out approximately 18”, adding that it only provides for less than a 3-foot porch. He then pointed out that with the proposed 10” column placement the porch would be within 2 ½ foot of the house. He stated that it would be more aesthetically appealing if it were just a little bit further out from the house and it would tremendously help the looks of the house. Commissioner Hardwick related that a resident of the neighborhood conveyed to him that she is opposed to the variance because she is fearful that this would start request for other variances. He recalled discussion at the last Planning Commission meeting regarding the fact that if a subdivision does not enforce their bill of assurance then it becomes difficult to do so later. He agreed that the house would be more aesthetically appealing with the colonial style front porch, but expressed concerns to protect the neighborhood. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT May 14, 2001 continued: City Engineer Whisker stated that crossing the building line is on an acceptation basis, adding that he is not sure that is something the Commission would want to do all the time. He pointed out that from an engineering standpoint, building setback lines keep the homes in a row. Mr. Keith stated that the aesthetic view is certainly a concern, adding that building the porch with the columns on front would not obstruct any view. He stated that the porch would not be closed in, if that is a factor for consideration. He clarified that it would not obstruct anyone’s view because of where the house is sitting. He related that actually from the front porch the neighbors on both sides would be obstructing the view because of the way the street curves you would be looking at the corner of both houses. Chairman Perry reviewed that in discussions with Metroplan, conformity in subdivision was a topic. He stated that it was pointed out that once you make changes then they would continue. He related that unfortunately when they built the house they had room in the rear to set the house back in the rear to set it back further and make room for expansion in the front. Commissioner Hardwick moved, seconded by Chairman Perry to deny the request of a front yard variance at 2107 Steeple Chase. Commissioner Boyd declined to vote. Discussion ensued as to the status of the motion. Other discussion ensued and Mr. Keith related that alternative designs were considered to remain within the setback but was not workable. It was the general consensus to table the motion until clarification from the City Attorney. Regarding progress in the renovation, the Board agreed to a special meeting to accommodate the petitioner and advertising requirements. Commissioner Hardwick moved, seconded by Commissioner Boyd to table the motion until a special called meeting in consideration for additional members. MOTION CARRIED. c. REAR YARD SETBACK VARIANCE 3516 SPRING VALLEY COVE Chairman Perry opened the public hearing at approximately 6:23 p.m. Petitioner Mr. Jason Wilkinson with J & L Builders related that the request is for a rear setback in Spring Valley Subdivision. He related that a setback variance is needed due to the irregular shape of the lot. He pointed out that the front setback is a semi-circle in a half culdesac. He stated that there is no construction behind the lot only drainage ditch. He stated that his home is adjacent to the property on one side and the other side is undeveloped. He stated that the rear BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT May 14, 2001 continued: corner of the home is over the setback by 2 ½ to 3 feet. He stated that the proposed plot plans have been reconfigured on the lot but it was not possible to get away from the need to request a variance. Commissioner Hardwick related that he had viewed the property and noted a very large drainage ditch to the rear, adding that he did not believe the future property owners to the west of the lot would object. City Engineer Whisker stated that variances are for unusual situations, mentioning the need to fit a house on a lot during the planning phase. Commissioner Hardwick moved, seconded by Commissioner Boyd to approve a rear setback variance of 3 feet as requested. MOTION CARRIED. d. FRONT YARD SETBACK VARIANCE/CORNER OF MAIN & MARSHALL Chairman Perry noted that the petitioner had removed the item of business from the agenda. e. FRONT YARD SETBACK VARIANCE/909 BREWER STREET Petitioner Mr. Leon Simen was not present to represent the item of business. Consensus of the Board was to reschedule if requested by petitioner. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Boyd moved, seconded by Commissioner Hardwick to adjourn the meeting at 6:28 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, __________________________ _____________________________ Susan L. Davitt Mark Perry CITY CLERK - TREASURER CHAIRMAN