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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4677-A Staff AnalysisA. 9M OTHER MATTERS Of CONCERN Item No. 2 File No. Owner: Address: f / f - n Request: Engineering Issues L. There are none to be reported at this time. Staff Analysis The Francis A. Allen School for Exceptional Children is requesting of the Board a thirty-six (36) month extension of the variance originally granted June 16, 1986 for a gravel parking lot. The Board of Directors and administration of the school feel that this time is needed to either raise capital in order to pave the area in such a way as to add to the neighborhood appearance, or to sell the property. The Francis A. Allen School is a non-profit agency which serves handicapped children. The school is funded through the Department of Human Services, Medicaid, United Way and private donations. Medicaid funding cuts are at this time being mandated by the Health Care Financing administration. This places the agency in jeopardy of loosing one-half of its present funding. There is a four foot chainlink fence which is covered with shrubs and vines completely bordering the back yard. The cars are parked facing the fence. "H" Street which runs beside the building does not allow on -street parking. Tyler Street which runs in front of the building is narrow with only partial curbs and guttering. In the opinion of Staff, the previous extension of three years was more than enough time for an agency of this nature to secure the proper finances in order to meet the requirements, or seek other parking resources. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending denial of the extension of time for the gravel parking lot. August 21, 1989 Item No. 3 File No. Z -4677-A Owner: Address: Zoned: Variance Requested: ............................... ..... ... .......... ...... .I ... . STAFF REPORT: 0 Engineering Issues Francis A. Allen School for Exceptional Children 824 North Tyler Street "R-3" Single Family Extension of time for a previous approval to allow a gravel parking lot on residential zoned property. There are none to be reported at this time. B. Staff Analysis The Francis A. Allen School for Exceptional Children is requesting of the Board a thirty-six (36) month extension of the variance originally granted June 16, 1986 for a gravel parking lot. The Board of Directors and administration of the school feel that this time is needed to either raise capital in order to pave the area in such a way as to add to the neighborhood appearance, or to sell the property. The Francis A. Allen School is a non-profit agency which serves handicapped children. The school is funded through the Department of Human Services, Medicaid, United Way and private donations. Medicaid funding cuts are at this time being mandated by the Health Care Financing administration. This places the agency in jeopardy of loosing one-half of its present funding. There is a four foot chainlink fence which is covered with shrubs and vines completely bordering the back yard. The cars are parked facing the fence. "H" Street which runs beside the building does not allow on -street parking. Tyler Street which runs in front of August 21, 1989 Item No. 3 (Continued) the building is narrow with only partial curbs and guttering. In the opinion of Staff, the previous extension of three years was more than enough time for an agency of this nature to secure the proper finances in order to meet the requirements, or seek other parking resources. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending denial of the extension of time for the gravel parking lot. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ACTION: (August 21, 1989) Mrs. Suzanne M. Benham, Sister Phyllis Enderlin and Ms. Nancy Baker were in attendance to represent the applicant. There were no objectors present. Mrs. Benham, Executive Director of the Francis A. Allen School for Exceptional Children, stated that at this time the school simply did not have the funds available to comply with the requirements for the paving of the lot. She further stated that with the cuts in the funding sources, the money that is necessary to meet the requirement could fund a new program at the school or provide additional funding for an existing program. Mrs. Benham also stated she had made contact with the surrounding neighbors and none had any problems with them keeping the Jot graveled. A petition with eleven names was submitted to the Hoard for its review. Mrs. Benham stated that an estimate she had recc;ved indicated that in order to pave the lot, there 4%,ould be a cost of $4,000. However, once a more detailed study was performed, the cost could be as much as $10,000 when all the Codes are met. Staff stated that most of the adjacent streets are unimproved; therefore, curb and gutter will have to be provided. A Board Member then asked if the school's future plans included paving of the lot. Mrs. Benham stated the school had considered two options: (1) sell the lot and start parking on the street, or (2) sell the lot and provide the six additional spaces t❑ the rear of the playground area at the school with entrance being off the alley. Staff asked if the intent would be to back out into the street. Mrs. Benham stated yes. Staff then stated that it would not be allowed by the Traffic Engineering Department. Five or six spaces are all that the school needs if no other use occurs. August 21, 1989 Item No. 3 (Continued) Staff was then asked if a portion of the lot could be paved. Staff stated that there was a middle ground in that a portion of the lot used for parking could be paved. However, the applicant would have to maintain the remaining area of the lot as open space and' barricade that portion to discourage any additional parking. If only a portion of the lot is paved, no landscaping will be required. The curb and gutter would be an issue the Board could not act upon. The Board could offer a recommendation to the City Engineering Department for some relief to the applicant regarding the requirements. Mrs. Benham was then asked if the paving for the six spaces could be provided. Mrs. Benham stated she was unsure, but if the cost was minimal, there was a good possibility. Staff then asked Mrs. Benham if the school had any further plans for the lot to serve as a satellite classroom facility. Mrs. Benham stated no plans presently exist. Sister Phyllis Enderlin spoke on behalf of the school as being a good neighbor and how appreciative the neighborhood was to the school for providing the parking lot which in turn frees up space on the adjacent street for the neighbors to park. After further discussion, the Chairman then asked staff for direction as to what action needed to be taken. Staff stated that the Board could go along with the recommendation of staff, or extend the time for one year to allow the applicant time to meet the requirement by paving the entire lot or a portion of the lot for the six parking spaces needed with the remaining area to be open space with barriers provided to prevent any additional parking. A motion was then made to approve an extension of time for a period of twelve months only. The applicant has to meet the full requirements or provide paving for six parking spaces with open space for the remaining area that is maintained and barricaded to prevent additional parking. The motion passed by a vote of 6 ayes, 1 no and 2 absent.