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Home My WebLink About1954-08-06 MinutesIs MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT' Aug; 6, 1954 — 300 P.M. — Council Chamber Present: L. M. Mc Goodwin Witt Carter J. R. Crocler, Sr. Clarence Young Heydon Lewis'. In behalf of the Tri Delta Sorority were: Lee Seamster, Attorney; Mrs. Jim McDonald, Rogers, Arkansas; Mrs. Jack Reed, Fayetteville; Mrs Joe Bates, Fayetteville, and Mr. J. J. Haralson, Architect, Fort Smith, Arkansas; for variance to the Zoning Ordinance 1002. Mr. Co R. Gilbreath, Applicant for Variance Mr. Harold E. Lieberenz, City Building Inspector Harriett Mercer, Secretary All members of the Board assembled at 3:30 to go to the sites of both the Tri Delta Sorority House and to the lot of Mr. Gilbreath to study and determine their particular problems in building. The meeting was brought to order at 4:30 P -M- Mr. Mc Goodwin, the Chairman, suggested, that both variances be discussed first because of the time involved and the minutes; of the July 30 meeting will be read at the next official meeting. The variance of the Tri Delta Sorority was first to be continued before the Board. The text is as follows Mrs. McDonaldt: We have had two different architects who prepared plans and this; one presented today is the ohly practical one and the only one! approved. Discussion was held as to the plans presented which were negative. it 1° Could the plans be changed somewhat and still stay within 201 from Oakland Street to get the facilities we need. If this is cut down to any more than 201 it will mean crowding girls into small quarters. Mrs. McDonald was asked about building to conform their plans to the average set back for that block on Oakland, which is 2$1 and build a block type building in order to house the number of students they expect. She was against this, because, the patio which is on the North side cost from $2500.00 to $3000.00 to build and would be a loss if a block type building is built. Did the University turn down request last year. Yes. Mr. Crocker: You say two architects have drawn up plans and that this -set of plans is the only practical one and approved by the National organization that would justify the expense put into it. The other plans would not meet with the approval and you exhaust all ottB r plans? Mr. Haralson: It is hard to get proper space to get living quarters because we had complications in the first place. We have met with the requirement of 201 set back for apartments and it does not seem reasonable to -2 - restrict additions to houses in such a way that they have to be back in line with the other houses because in some places houses: have set backs of 100 ft. Mr. Young, Lewis and other members said that that was not the case in Fayetteville. That the set back for the block we are interested in are 241, 3111, and 261. Sororities and Fraternities came under the 201 set back minimum require_ went. Mr. Haralson stated that Oakland was approximately 501 wide and that the code states that 201 set back should be maintained which they made their plans accordingly. Discussion was brought up also that the code states that an average` footage should be met where there are; other buildings involved. Hr. Haralson also stated that they wouli have no other way to go unless they would make a block type building, which is not economically sound, and stated that the plan that they had before the Board today is the most econ6Mi.cal. Mr. Crocker: We realize the economy standpoint but we do have to stay within the Ordinance:. Mus. McDonald: We do have to make enough money to meet the cost of the building and have to have 41 members. The basement and every living quarter was used to capacity last year and it is a matter of having room for students that we expect to have this year, and the University expects us to have to house these girls. Mr. Young: We cannot go into the eco endpoint. We are interested in the • public welfare. McDonald: I£ you put us in a place of economy, then we will have to build some place else.. Mr. Haralson: This Ordinance is not to put an iron bound code, but must determine whether or not-j�* ii�justifiab}v with the code. Mr. Carters We feel too, that others must be taken into consideration. Mr. Haralson: The State Fire Marshal has said that it would be a safer place to house students by building according to this plan. Mrs. McDonald: We do not want to put one group of girls away from the other. We are asking for something that is within your code which is 201. Mr. Lieberenz read excerpts from the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to this problem and the average footage that must be met. Mr. Crocker: What is the average footage in this case;? Mr. Lieberenz: It is 281. I£ these people had asked for the average footage which is 281 in the beginning, I could have granted the request, without bringing it before the Board, netiti-on ed lff. McCoodwin: If this/was grant/to you, other homes that are being built or will be built in the future will want the same consideration. The graving of the variance requested would be a detriment to the general public as it would shorten the clearance view at japle and 30 -3- • Garland and would also effect the general beauty of the buildings adjacent to the campus. The granting of the variance would lessen the general alignment value of the property in the block. A vote was taken as follows:: Mr. Gilbreath was present and his variance was -again taken up by the Board. There is only the triangle which is 81, at the NE corner of the house that is in violation of the zoning ordinance. It was decided that this would not impair the, view of anyone and if Maple Street were open in the future a car traveling East. on Maple would have clear vision across in front of Mr. Gilbreath's house. A person in a car as far back as -30 feet from the intersection could still see 150 feet, south on Int. Sequoyah Drive. It was stated that there was not a likely possibility that East Mgaple Street would be opened in the future. Mr. Young made a motion that variance be granted. i=r. Lewis seconded the motion. Roll Was called. L. M. McGoodwin Aye Heydon Lewis Aye, J. R. Crocker Aye • Clarence Young Aye Witt Carter Aye There being no further business before the Board the meeting was adjourned' at. 5:15 P.M. Approved: becre ary 31 h L: M. McGoodwin No Witt. Carter No Mr. Crocker: I am in full sympathy for the variance and if it were possible I would like to be in a position to grant but to grant this petition would be in direct violation of Ordinance 1022and, furthermore,, it would in the future work a hardship on the public. I vote NO. Mr. Lewis: Taking into consideration the importance of Sororities and Fraternities, he asked that he be allowed not to vote. He added that he did feel the great importance to the economy and growth of Fayetteville. There was no vote. Mr. Young: I would like to preface my vote with this statement. Mrs. McDonald has said that two architectural firms had been used..to study this matter and that this plan was the most. • desirable because the other plan was not approved by the University of Arkansas. The other architectural firm she is speaking of is the office with which I am affiliated. The statement she has made is not true because the University of Arkansas did not disapprove the otherscheme. I feel that because of,this situation these people feel that I am prejudiced on this matter but I must say that this Board has carefully weighed the facts and in my opinion it has been very clearly pointed out that there has been no logical reason given which the Board can use to grant this variance. Consciencentiously, I can only vote NO. The. Tki Delta's variance'to the'Zoning Ordinance /1022 was denied. Mr. Gilbreath was present and his variance was -again taken up by the Board. There is only the triangle which is 81, at the NE corner of the house that is in violation of the zoning ordinance. It was decided that this would not impair the, view of anyone and if Maple Street were open in the future a car traveling East. on Maple would have clear vision across in front of Mr. Gilbreath's house. A person in a car as far back as -30 feet from the intersection could still see 150 feet, south on Int. Sequoyah Drive. It was stated that there was not a likely possibility that East Mgaple Street would be opened in the future. Mr. Young made a motion that variance be granted. i=r. Lewis seconded the motion. Roll Was called. L. M. McGoodwin Aye Heydon Lewis Aye, J. R. Crocker Aye • Clarence Young Aye Witt Carter Aye There being no further business before the Board the meeting was adjourned' at. 5:15 P.M. Approved: becre ary 31 h