HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6538-A Staff AnalysisNovember 30, 1998
Item No.: 2
File No.: Z -6538-A
Owner. William Lamar
Address: 201 Thayer
Description: Part of Lot 16, Block 5,
Capitol View
Zoned• R-3
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the
fence height provisions of Section
36-516 to permit construction of a
fence which exceeds permitted
height.
Justification: Applicant's Statement: On August
31, of this year, I was granted a
variance for fence height by the
Board of Adjustment. At that time,
I had estimated that a fence height
of six (6) feet would be adequate
for our needs of a fence around our
back yard. Unfortunately, I had
not actually designed the fence at
that time. Upon designing the
fence, I have realized that six
feet will not satisfy one of my
important needs: keeping my wife's
four cats contained in the back
yard. We have tested a six foot
high fence and found that a cat
can, when determined, jump and
climb over a six foot high fence.
Therefore, to be safe, we think a
6'-10" at its lowest, the fence
gains height as the bottom follows
the sloping grade, resulting in a
fence eight (8) high in some
places, at which point we step down
the height (see the attached
drawings).
Therefore, we request another
variance for a fence height of
seven (7) feet minimum to
approximately eight (8) feet
maximum.
November 30, 1998
Item No.: 2
Present Use of Propert : Single Family
Proposed Use of Property: Single Family
Staff Report:
A. Public Works Issues:
1. Please refer to survey for right-of-way dimensions prior
to locating fence.
B. Staff Analysis:
On August 31, 1998, the Board approved a variance to allow
the applicant to erect a 6 foot tall wood fence around the
rear yard of the R-3 zoned property located at 201 Thayer
Street. Because the property is a corner lot and the fence
extends into the required setback adjacent to West 2nd
Street, the code limits the fence height to 4 feet. The
applicant has now determined that the 6 foot height is not
sufficient to meet his needs. He feels that a somewhat
taller fence is needed to keep his pets contained in the
yard. Additionally, constructing the fence so that it
stairsteps down the slope results in a fence that varies in
height from 6'-10" to approximately 8 feet.
Staff believes the variance request to be reasonable. The
property does slope down substantially from the front to the
rear. Allowing the stairstep design, rather than following
the slope of the property, is more aesthetically pleasing.
The increased height of the fence from the previously
approved 6 feet to the requested maximum of 8 feet should
have no greater impact on adjacent properties. West 2nd
Street, at this point, is a sparsely traveled, minor
residential street. The street dead -ends at Thayer Street,
adjacent to the applicant's property. The increased
fence -height should not impact traffic on the street. There
is 11 feet between the fence and the edge of the pavement on
2nd Street, an adequate distance to address sight -distance
concerns.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested fence height
variance subject to compliance with the following
conditions:
1. Compliance with Public Works Comments
2. The fence is to be constructed with the finished side
facing out.
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November 30, 1998
Item No.: 2
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(NOVEMBER 30, 1998)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject
to compliance with the following conditions:
1. Compliance with Public Works comments.
2. The fence is to be constructed with the finished side facing
out.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff. The vote was 4 ayes, 0 noes, 0 absent and
1 open position.
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