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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8254 Staff AnalysisAUGUST 27, 2007 ITEM NO.: 6 File No.: Owner: Applicant: Address: Description: Zoned: Z-8254 John and September Crabtree John Crabtree 11 Cobblestone Way Lot 86, The Ranch Subdivision FIM Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the fence/wall provisions of Section 36-516 to allow a wall which exceeds the maximum height allowed. Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Present Use of Property: Undeveloped Lot Proposed Use of Property: Single Family Residential STAFF REPORT A. Public Works Issues: No Comments B. Staff Analysis: The R-2 zoned property at 11 Cobblestone Way is currently vacant, with some site work having been done in preparation of construction of a new single family residence. The rear one -quarter of the lot is tree covered. With the site preparation, two (2) retaining walls were constructed in order to level the center of the lot, as it slopes upward from front to back. One (1) retaining wall is located within the rear (east) half of the property, with the second wall being in the front half of the lot extending across a 15 foot front platted building line. The rear wall is approximately four (4) feet tall at its center, tapering to grade at both ends. The highest portion of the front wall is six (6) to seven (7) feet above grade, tapering downward toward both ends. Section 36-516(e)(1)a. of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum fence/wall height of four (4) feet for fences/walls located between a building AUGUST 27, 2007 ITEM NO.: 6 (CON'T. setback line and a street right-of-way. Other fences/walls can be constructed to a height of six (6) feet. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow the short section of wall which is higher than four (4) feet and extends between the 15 foot front platted building line and the right-of-way of Cobblestone Way. Staff is supportive of the requested variance. Staff views the request as a relatively minor issue. The front wall extends across the front platted building line by only approximately seven (7) feet at one (1) point, running to the building line and behind at the ends of the wall. If the wall were located on the 15 foot building line, there would be no variances. Additionally, the front wall is fairly short and unobtrusive. It allows the center of the lot to be brought up to near the grade of the existing residence immediately to the south. Staff believes the existing wall will have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or the general area. The existing walls were designed by an engineering firm hired by the applicant. An attached letter from the civil engineer certifies that the walls were constructed in accordance with the design standards. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested fence/wall height variance, subject to a building permit being obtained for the wall construction. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (AUGUST 27, 2007) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval. The applicant offered no additional comments. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.