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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8469 Staff AnalysisJUNE 29, 2009 ITEM NO.: 8 File No.: Z-8469 Owner/Applicant: Richard Siller Address: 2324 S. Chester Street Description: Lot 7, Block 8, Walt Worthen's Addition Zoned: R-4 Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the fence provisions of Section 36- 516 to allow a fence 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-4 zoned property at 2324 S. Chester Street is occupied by a two-story frame single family residence. The property is located at the northwest corner of S. Chester Street and W. 24th Street. There is a paved alley along the rear (west) property line. A two -car garage structure is located at the northwest corner of the lot. There is a two -car wide driveway from W. 24th Street which leads to a carport at the southwest corner of the residence. A driveway from the alley accesses the garage structure. The floor level of the house is located six (6) to eight (8) feet above the grade of the adjacent streets. There is an existing retaining wall along the east (front), west (rear) and south (street side) property lines. The wall along the front property line ranges in . height from 3.5 to 5 feet, the wall along the rear property line ranges in height from 2 to 4 feet, and the wall along the south street side property line ranges in height from 4 to 6 feet. The wall is a structural/retaining wall and has existed since the lot was developed many years ago. JUNE 29, 2009 ITEM NO.: 8 (Con't. The applicant recently constructed a wood fence along a portion of the south side property line and rear property line. The fence is located approximately one (1) foot inside the masonry wall along the south property line and two (2) feet inside the wall along the rear property line. The wood fence west of the entry drive from W. 24t" Street is six (6) feet in height above the finished grade. The fence east of the drive ranges in height from six (6) feet to eight (8) feet. The gate structure is six (6) feet in height. There will be a section of wood fencing which will span over the gate. This will be an overall fence height of approximately 10 feet for only the width of the gate opening. Section 36-516(e)(1)a. of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum fence height of four (4) feet for fences located between a building setback line and a street right-of-way. This R-4 zoned lot would require a side building setback of 5 to 6 feet. A maximum fence height of six (6) feet is allowed elsewhere on the lot. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow the fencing which exceeds four (4) feet in height along the south street side property line, between the property line and the side yard setback. Staff is supportive of the requested fence height variance. Staff views the .request as reasonable. For the most part, the applicant is requesting to enclose the rear yard area with a standard six (6) foot high wood fence. The fence height increases for a short distance along the south side property line and over the gate because of the slope and maintaining a level fence height. The fence has the appearance of being a much higher structure because of the grade of the property being several feet higher than the adjacent streets. The proposed fence appears to not create any blind corner issues, as the existing retaining wall is set back several feet from the curb line of W. 24t" Street. Staff believes the fence height as proposed will have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or the general area. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested fence height variance, subject to the following conditions: 1. A building permit must be obtained for the fence construction. 2. The gate portion of the fence must be repaired, with the space over the gate being completed. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (JUNE 29, 2009) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the conditions outlined in the "staff recommendation" above. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and approved by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent.