06 JUL 10
A G E N D A
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
JULY 10, 2006 - 6:30 P.M.
CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
1. CALL TO ORDER:
2. APPROVAL AND/OR
CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Regular Scheduled Meeting
June 12, 2006 1-4
3. VARIANCE REQUEST(S):
a. Maximum Square Footage Variance
Accessory Building at
6520 West Main Street
Petitioner: Joe R. Oliver 5-8
b. Rear Yard Setback Variance
100 Oxford Cove
Petitioner: Bill Hammonds 9-10
c. Rear Yard Setback Variance
3401 North Ridge Drive
Petitioner: Alice Crook 11-12
ADJOURNMENT
MINUTES: BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR MEETING
DATE AND TIME: July 10, 2006 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: Commissioners: Glen Keaton, and Martha Boyd
Chairman Traylor, and City Engineer Whisker
_________________________________________________________________
City Clerk Susan Davitt recorded those listed above in attendance and
Chairman Traylor declared a quorum.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Boyd moved, seconded by Commissioner Keaton to approve the
minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Board of Adjustment meeting of June 12,
2006. MOTION CARRIED with Chairman Traylor voting AYE.
VARIANCE(S): a. Maximum square footage variance accessory building at 6520
West Main Street
Chairman Traylor opened the public hearing at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Petitioner representative Mr. Joe Oliver presented a site plan for the
proposed accessory building, explaining that the primary site location was
guided by the location of trees on the property. He noted that the proposed
location would only require the removal of one tree. He stated that he
is representing property owner Carey Stevens who is planning to use the
accessory building for storage, which is why she is requesting extra square
footage. He explained that Ms. Stevens owns an antique Thunderbird that
she wants to store along with other storage items. He then related her
plans to add on to the existing home.
In response to a question posed by Chairman Traylor, City Engineer Whisker
answered that the maximum allowed square footage for an accessory building
is 650 square feet. Ms. Stevens then answered that the accessory building
would be located to the opposite side of the driveway from the house in
a wooded area.
In response to a question regarding ownership of tract A & B, Mr. Oliver
stated that Ms. Stevens is buying the property from Bill Baldridge,
explaining that he has a letter and his client is prepared to purchase the
property.
Ms. Stevens then related that she had spoken with Mrs. Baldridge about
purchasing the remaining ½ acre on the other side identified as tract B.
In response to a question from City Engineer Whisker, Ms. Stevens stated
that she owns tract A, B, and C, explaining that tract B is the last tract
on the corner. She stated that tract B is the tract that she had spoken
with Mrs. Baldridge about purchasing. It was clarified that she actually
owns tracts A, C, and D.
Ms. Stevens explained that the property was divided into the current tracts
approximately 10 years ago when it was believed that adjoining neighbors
might be interested in purchasing those tracts.
City Engineer Whisker explained that he feels it is odd that the property
was divided as such, leaving tract A without access. He stated that he
does not object to the extension of the home or an oversized accessory
1
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR MEETING
July 10, 2006
building, but does feel that the property is oddly divided.
Ms. Stevens stated that 10 years ago the property owner to the west wanted
to purchase tract A to extend his property, adding that it never came to
fruition. She stated that after buying tract C with the house, she then
purchased tract D and tract A was offered as part of the deal.
City Engineer Whisker stated that his recommendation would be for Ms.
Stevens to plat the property that she plans to own into one large parcel
of land, explaining that she would not be allowed to construct a building
across a property line even if she owns both parcels. He then explained
the platting procedure through the Planning Commission to Ms. Stevens. He
then explained that tract A, if not included in the plat, would have to
have an easement to the property.
Mr. Oliver stated that in speaking with Bond Engineering regarding
replatting the property into a one-lot subdivision, the costs were
astronomical.
City Engineer Whisker stated that given there are four tracts of property
it appears to be a subdivision, requiring that it be subdivided properly.
He then noted his concern that tract A does not have access to West Main
Street.
Commissioner Keaton offered that an easement to tract A would not
necessarily have to be developed but would have to be shown on the plat.
Chairman Traylor clarified that tract C and D would need to be platted as
one tract to accommodate the proposed location of the accessory building.
In response to a question from Ms. Stevens it was clarified that the road
proposed to gain access to the accessory building could be extended to tract
A to provide access from West Main Street, stipulating approval from the
Planning Commission. City Engineer Whisker noted that access issues to
tract A would also include approval by the Fire Marshall regarding Fire
Department equipment being able to gain access.
Chairman Traylor closed the public hearing at approximately 6:49 p.m.
City Engineer Whisker strongly suggested that the property be replatted
under one ownership into one large parcel, making a one-lot subdivision.
He then noted that since the property is over two acres he does not have
a problem with the request for a larger accessory building.
It was clarified that if the property is platted into a one-lot subdivision
that would eliminate the need for an easement or developed road to tract
A.
Commissioner Keaton moved, seconded by Commissioner Boyd to approve a
maximum square footage variance for an accessory building at 6520 West Main
Street, contingent upon the platting of tracts A, B, C, and D into one lot.
MOTION CARRIED with Chairman Traylor voting AYE.
2
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR MEETING
July 10, 2006
Chairman Traylor closed the public hearing at approximately 6:49 p.m.
b. Rear Yard Setback Variance 100 Oxford Cove
Chairman Traylor opened the public hearing at approximately 6:49 p.m.
Mr. Bill Hammonds stated that he proposes to demolish the current patio
structure and slab to pour a level proper slab and rebuild a better
structure. He stated that the structure would not extend any further toward
the rear property line but added that he is requesting to extend the slab
9’ further along the back of the house.
Chairman Traylor closed the public hearing at approximately 6:53 p.m.
Commissioner Keaton moved, seconded by Commissioner Boyd to grant a rear
yard setback variance at 100 Oxford Cove as requested. MOTION CARRIED with
Chairman Traylor voting AYE.
c. Rear Yard Setback Variance at 3401 North Ridge Drive
Chairman Traylor opened the public hearing at approximately 6:54 p.m.
Mrs. Alice Crook explained that she has moved from another state to Arkansas
and was not aware of the building laws when she screened her rear deck area.
She explained that the structure is 4’ into the rear setback.
Chairman Traylor closed the public hearing at approximately 6:49 p.m.
In response to a question posed by City Engineer Whisker, she explained
that she had extended the deck area to make it larger and then screened
in the area.
City Engineer Whisker explained that when a roof was added to the structure
it was considered a permanent structure, which now exists 4’ into the rear
setback.
Discussion ensued regarding the roof addition as a sound structure that
would have passed building inspection if it had been properly building
permitted and if the structure is in conformity with other homes in the
neighborhood.
Mrs. Crook noted that another home in the neighborhood recently completed
construction of a roof over the rear patio with half walls.
City Engineer Whisker reminded the Board that a variance was approved for
a house on South Ridge belonging to Mr. Bill Shelly. He noted that the roof
addition on South Ridge was constructed off the top of the house as opposed
to coming off underneath the existing roof.
Chairman Traylor questioned if the structure that was built would have been
acceptable if properly permitted.
City Engineer Whisker stated that he is not sure the structure would have
3
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR MEETING
July 10, 2006
passed building codes, mentioning the pitch of the roof as a possible
problem. He stated that if the variance is granted, Mrs. Crook would still
have to go through the building permit process and the structure would have
to pass a framing inspection. He noted that the framing is exposed with
this type of structure and would not be hard to determine if it passes.
It was noted that if the variance is granted, it would then become
Engineering’s responsibility to ensure that the structure meets Code.
Commissioner Keaton moved, seconded by Commissioner Boyd to grant a rear
yard setback variance at 3401 North Ridge Drive, contingent upon the
structure passing framing and building codes. MOTION CARRIED with Chairman
Traylor voting AYE.
Mrs. Crook was instructed to apply in the Engineering Department for a
building permit the following morning.
Chairman Traylor closed the public hearing at approximately 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
Without objection, Chairman Traylor adjourned the meeting at approximately
7:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
___________________________ _____________________________
Susan L. Davitt CHAIRMAN Mike Traylor
CITY CLERK – TREASURER
4