Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6445 Staff AnalysisFebruary 23, 1998 File No. Owner• Address• Description• Zoned• variance Re ested: Justification: Z-6445 Donald Thompson 125 Hickory Creek Circle Lot 76-R, Hickory Creek R-2 A variance is requested from the fence height provisions of Section 36-516 to permit a fence (brick wall) which exceeds ordinance standards. A licant's Statement: Two sides of my lot are to the east and connect to the backyards of my neighbors. The south side of my lot is the border of an undeveloped lot. The owners of these properties are in agreement with my request to construct a wall of ten (10) feet in height on these property lines. I have employed the services of Cinde Hauer Landscape Architect and she has made the recommendation to graduate the wall heights as set out in the application. This wall is needed for screening my backyard from my neighbors. The nine (9) foot wall connecting the back of the house to the rear wall is in keeping with the rear wall height at that point. My neighbors to the west have walls of this height as do several others in Hickory Creek. I believe that these walls of varying heights accomplish my goal to enclose the rear yard, create security and screen those areas needing privacy, as well as being aesthetically acceptable to my neighbors. February 23, 1998 Item No.: D (Cont. Present Use of Pro ert : Proposed Use of Pro ert : Staff Report: A. Public Works Issues: Vacant lot Single Family residence Wall is to be constructed to allow surface drainage. H. Staff Analysis: The applicant proposes to construct a large single family home on the property located at 125 Hickory Creek Circle. The property consists of two lots which will be combined into a single building site. The applicant proposes to enclose the sides and rear of the property with a brick wall varying in height from 7 feet at the front property line to 10 feet across the rear of the lot. Section 36-516 of the Code limits the height of fences within required setbacks adjacent to streets to 4 feet and to 6 feet for the remainder of this lot. The applicant states that the wall is needed to screen his backyard from his neighbors. He states that other neighbors to the west have walls of the height that he is proposing. Staff cannot support the requested variance. While it is true that variances have been approved for increased wall height in this neighborhood, they were for properties on the perimeter of the neighborhood. Those properties backed up to an undeveloped wooded area and those applicants stated that the increased wall height was needed primarily for security purposes. A 6 foot fence enclosing the rear yard is much more typical of those lots within the subdivision. In staff's opinion, the height proposed by the applicant is unnecessary and out of character with properties within the interior of the neighborhood. The developed properties abutting this site to the east have fences closer to 6 feet in height. A drive through the neighborhood revealed no other properties which have walls extending past the front of the houses into the front yard setback, much less any walls of the height proposed by the applicant. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends denial of the requested fence height variance. F February 23, 1998 Item No.: D Cont. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (JANUARY 26, 1998) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Board that the applicant had requested a deferral to the February 23, 1998 Board meeting. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for deferral by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent and 3 open positions. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (FEBRUARY 23, 1998) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Board that the applicant had requested that the item be withdrawn. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for withdrawal by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent and 3 open positions. 3