HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9029 Staff AnalysisAPR IL 27, 2015
ITEM NO.: 8
File No.:
Owner:
Applicant:
Address:
Description:
Zoned:
Variance Requested:
Justification:
Present Use of Property:
Proposed Use of Property:
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No Comments
B. Staff Analysis:
Z-9029
Dr. Robin Hickerson
Wayne Turner
405 Louise Street
Southwestern corner of Louise Street and Charles Street
R-3
A variance is requested from the fence provisions of Section 36-
516 to allow a fence which exceeds the maximum height allowed.
The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Single Family Residential
Single Family Residential
The R-3 zoned property located at 405 Louise Street is occupied by a two-story
frame single family residence. The property is located at the southwestern corner
of Louise Street and Charles Street. The lot is platted front to back from east to
west, with the front property line being along the Charles Street right-of-way. The
existing house is located approximately 22 feet back from the front property line at
its nearest point. A existing six (6) foot high wood fence is located along the south
side property line, and runs to within four (4) feet of the southeastern corner (front
property line) of the lot.
The applicant recently constructed new six (6) foot high wood fencing on the east
and west ends of the existing house, as noted on the attached site plan. The fence
on the east side of the house extends from the northeast corner of the residence to
the front property line (along Charles Street) and ties into the existing six (6) foot
high wood fence along the south side property line. The fence on the west side of
the residence encloses a portion of the rear yard area.
APRIL 27, 2015
ITEM NO,: 8 (CON'T.
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 building setback lines and street
rights -of -way and a maximum height of six (6) feet for fences located elsewhere on
a residential lot. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a fence height variance to
allow the six (6) foot high wood fence to be located between the 25 foot front
building setback and the Charles Street right-of-way.
Staff is supportive of the requested fence height variance. Staff views the request
as reasonable. Although staff typically does not support six (6) foot high fences
that extend into front yard areas, as the homes to the south have front yards along
Charles Street, this situation is much different than what is typically reviewed. As
noted above, there is an existing six (6) foot high wood fence which runs along the
south side property line of the subject property, to within four (4) feet of the front
property corner. The houses to the south along Charles Street generally have
front setbacks less than the 25 foot typical front setback. There are two (2) or
three (3) places between some of the residences that have evergreen/landscaped
screens that run to/near the front property lines along Charles Street. Therefore,
there are existing visual "screens" between the houses along Charles Street, with
no unobstructed view down the block front. The proposed fence only adds
approximately four (4) linear feet of fence to the "front yard" area, and does not
create any additional adverse visual impact on the adjacent properties or the
general area.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested fence variance, subject to the
following conditions:
The applicant must submit written approval from the Public Works
Traffic Engineering division.
2. A permit must be obtained for the fence construction.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
(April 27, 2015)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the
application with a recommendation of approval. There was no further discussion.
Staff added one (1) condition to the "staff recommendation" as follows:
3. The fence must not be located in the public right-of-way.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda for approval as recommended by staff.
The vote was 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was approved.