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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8305 Staff AnalysisJANUARY 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 5 File No.: Z-8305 Owner: Woodhaven Homes Applicant: Nathan Cooper Address: 13712 Foxfield Lane Description: Lot 27, Block 11, Woodland's Edge Zoned: R-2 Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the fence/wall provisions of Section 36-516 to allow a fence/wall which exceeds the maximum height allowed. Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Present Use of Property: Single Family Residential Proposed Use of Property: Single Family Residential STAFF REPORT A. Public Works Issues: No comments. B. Staff Analysis: The R-2 zoned property at 13712 Foxfield Lane is occupied by a one-story brick single family residence which was recently constructed. There is a two - car wide driveway at the southeast corner of the lot which leads to a parking pad for a garage at the southwest corner of the house. With the driveway construction, a retaining wall was constructed along the south and west sides of the driveway/parking pad, as the property slopes upward from Foxfield Lane. The wall is approximately 30 inches tall at its highest point, and located along the front property line. The applicant is proposing to construct a 42 inch iron railing on top of the retaining wall, as noted on the attached elevation. The applicant notes that the railing is proposed for safety purposes. The overall height of the railing/wall combination will be six (6) feet at its highest point. JANUARY 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 5 (CON'T. Section 36-516(e)(1)a. of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum fence/wall height of four (4) feet for fence/walls located between a building setback line and a street right-of-way. Fence/walls with a maximum height of six (6) feet are allowed elsewhere on single-family lots. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance from this ordinance standard to allow the six (6) foot high fence/wall within the front building setback area. Staff is supportive of the requested variance. Staff views the request as reasonable, with the applicant's request based on a safety issue. Staff believes the railing/fence will serve as an appropriate structure to prevent vehicles from backing off the parking pad or small children from falling off the retaining walls. As long as the railing/fence remains wrought iron and not opaque, staff feels that it has no adverse visual impact on the adjacent properties or the neighborhood. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested variance, subject to the following conditions: 1. The railing/fence must remain non -opaque. 2. A building permit must be obtained for the fence construction. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (JANUARY 28, 2008) 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.