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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. 246-2 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