HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-07-06 Minutes245-2
• BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES
The Board of Adjustment met at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 6, 1966, in the
Directors Room in the City Administration Building.
Members present: J. F. Robinson, J. F. Palner.and George Bowen.
Members absent: J. A. Pennington and Wade Fincher.
Others present: Byron Boyd, Wallace Wester, Grady Harlan, Mrs. Elizabeth
McCartney, John Reed, Attorney Charles Atkinson and two
other persons interested in the application before the Board.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman J. F. Robinson. The Chairman
reported only one application was scheduled to be heard. The application was
for St. Joseph's Catholic Church and was filed by Reverend Edward R. Maloy.
Mr. Byron Boyd appeared before the Board to.represent St. Joseph's Catholic
Church. Mr. Boyd said permission was being requested to build a new church
building on the SW corner of Lafayette Street and Walnut Avenue. The lot
area, the front and side yards and the off-street parking proposed do not
meet the requirements of the zoning ordinance. Mr. Boyd gave a more detailed
explanation. The use of the property for a church must be approved by the
Board of Adjustment. The amount of lot area required is 2 acres. The property
in question has less than one acre. The front yard setback is to be 40 feet .
• and the applicant proposed 36 feet. Mr. Boyd said the west side yard setback
would be 8,feet and the east side yard setback would be 25.5 feet. On both
side yards a setback of 55 feet is required by the zoning ordinance. The
church building proposed would be 30 feet from the school building to the
west. Mr. Boyd pointed out that the proposed church building would in the
front and on the east side be in line with the existing buildings to the
west and to the south. The other problem is parking. Mr. Boyd used a large
drawing of the entire block to explain the parking arrangement planned. He
said a total of 106 spaces were to be provided.
Mr. Charles Atkinson, attorney, and six persons were present to express their
objections to the request.
Mr. Atkinson said one objection was parking in front of the buildings on
Lafayette Street. On Sunday Willow Avenue is used extensively for parking
as there is no parking restrictions on that street. Mr. Atkinson said with
cars parked on both sides someone has to back up when traveling on Willow
Avenue. On Walnut Avenue parking is permitted on one side of the street.
This arrangement creates problems for automobiles going in and out of drive ways.
Mr. Atkinson told the Board his personal reaction. He felt the area required
and proposed was of no consequence. For all practical purposes or for
aesthetics the proposal was of concern. The serious problem, however, is the
additional congestion. He said that the congestion should be the principal
concern of the Board also.
• Mr. Boyd pointed out that both buildings (the church and the school) would
not be used at the same time.
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Mr. Atkinson and others present felt that access to three streets --
Sutton Street, Walnut Avenue, Willow Avenue—would held to eliminate •
the congestion mentioned. Mr. Atkinson said if the parking area were
available and were easy to enter and to leave, the people would park
in the lots. Also, sidewalks and entrances to the buildings from the
parking lots are important. He pointed out that convenience for the
people from the street to the parking area and from the parking area
to the buildings is a must for the people of today.
Those present discussed the desirability of widening Lafayette Street
so that any cars parked in front of the church or the school would not
extend into the lane used by moving traffic. With cars parked in front
of the school or the church any traffic going east must now cross over
the center line to keep from hitting the parked cars. Those present were in
favor of the widening of Lafayette Street.
Mr. Atkinson filed a formal protest with the Board of Adjustment. The pro-
test was signed by 14 persons.
There was no further discussion. The applicant and others persons were
dismissed.
J. F. Palmer moved that the Board of Adjustment waive the area and bulk
requirements of the Zoning Ordinance No. 1239 to permit the construction
upon a lot which has less area a new church building which will be 36 •
feet from the north property line, 25J feet from the east property line
and 8 feet from the west property line provided that:
(1) The residence to the west (south of the existing church building)
be removed and parking area developed;
(2)
The residence to
the
east (yellow house
south of the proposed
is
church building)
The motion
be
removed and parking
area developed; and
(3) Lafayette Street and Willow Avenue be widened along the church
owned property so that the curb will be three (3) feet from the
sidewalks and the widening be done at the expense of the property
owner if the City of Fayetteville or the State of Arkansas will
not bear the expense;
and
further
that these
items be complied with
before a building permit
is
issued.
The motion
was seconded by George
Bowen and passed unanimously.
J. F. Palmer moved that the Board of Adjustment recommend to the Board
of Directors that parking be prohibited on the west side of Walnut Avenue
between Lafayette Street and Sutton Street. George Bowen seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
It was the Board's opinion that compliance of the above-mentioned
conditions would relieve hazardous conditions which exist. The issuance
of a permit under these circumstances would be without substantial •
detriment to public good and, in fact, would eliminate a traffic hazard
247-2
is
which now exists. The Church's north building line will correspond with
the north line of adjacent buildings; and the east line will correspond
with the building line established by the existing structure which will
be removed. The usage of the property for a church in this area has been
established by custom, which has long been recognized. Also, the Board
considers parking that is being provided as adequate because the school
auditorium which is owned by the church will generally not be used at the
same time as the church.
There was no further business. The meeting was adjourned.
Date:
Approved by Board of Adjustment
•
0
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary