HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6604 Staff AnalysisDecember :i1, 1998
Item No.: 7
File No.
Owner:
Address:
Description:
Zoned:
Variance Re ested:
Justification:
Present Use of Propert. :
Proposed Use of Propert :
Staff Report:
A. Public Works Issues:
Z-6604
Southwest Properties, Inc.
13111 West Markham
Long legal
MF -18
A variance is requested from the
fence height restrictions of
Section 36-516 to permit a 6 foot
tall fence to be built within the
setback adjacent to the street.
A perimeter fence is being
installed to prevent nonresidents
from entering the site and to
reduce crime. A 4 foot tall fence
would not provide any security.
Multifamily
Multifamily
See Traffic Engineering drawing for approved location of the
fence to avoid sight distance problems at the driveways and
allow for vehicle stack to if gated.
Property frontage needs to have sidewalks and ramps brought
up to the current ADA Standards with planned development.
Repair and replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is
damaged in the public right-of-way with planned development.
Plans of all work in the right-of-way shall be submitted for
approval prior to start of work.
B. Staff Analysis:
Shadow Lake Apartment development occupies the MF -18 zoned,
24.7± acre site located at 13111 West Markham Street. The
development consists of two parcels and has street frontage
on West Markham, Shadow Lake and Farris Streets. The
applicant proposes to erect a 6 foot tall, wrought iron
decorative fence around the perimeter of the development.
Throughout most of the project, the proposed fence will be
December 21, 1998
No. : 7 (Cont .
adjacent to the streets. Section 36-516(b) limits the
height of fences within required setbacks adjacent to
streets to 4 feet. The MF -18 District requires a setback of
25 feet adjacent to a street.
Staff is supportive of the requested variance. The proposed
fence will be wrought iron with brick supports and
decorative lighting on the street side. It is very
difficult to meet the required 25 foot setback for a 6 foot
fence due to the internal configuration of the development,
excessive slopes and existing heavily wooded areas. Recent
incidents on the property have prompted the need for
security fencing. A 4 foot tall fence would provide no
deterrence while a 6 foot decorative fence should not create
a negative, "fortress -like" appearance.
No gates are proposed at the driveway entrances at this
time. At some point in the future, those entrances may be
gated. The gates will be set back far enough to provide
stacking space and placement of the gates will be
coordinated with Public Works and the Fire Department.
During the review of this item, the City's Traffic Engineer
made some modifications to the proposed fence location to
address sight -distance concerns at the driveway entrances
and near the bend of Shadow Lake Drive. The applicant needs
to coordinate placement of the fence with the Traffic
Engineer.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested fence height
variance to allow for construction of a 6 foot tall,
decorative wrought iron and brick fence subject to
compliance with Public Works Comments.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(DECEMBER 21, 1998)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject
to compliance with Public Works Comments.
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.
Fa