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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-02 MinutesBoard of Adjustment Meeting July 2, 2012 Page 1 of 5 MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT A meeting of the Board of Adjustment was held on July 2, 2012 at 3:45 p.m. in Room 111 of the City Administration Building, 113 W. Mountain, Fayetteville, Arkansas. ACTION TAKEN MINUTES: June 4, 2012 Approved Page 2 New Business: ADM 12-4152: Administrative Item (629 S. BLOCK STREETMAMAKER, 523): Page 3 Denied MEMBERS PRESENT Robert Kohler Kristin Knight Matthew Hoffman Evan Niehues STAFF PRESENT Andrew Garner Jason Kelley MEMBERS ABSENT Tim Stein Jeff Hagers Board of Adjustment Chair Bob Kohler called the meeting to order at 3:45 PM. Board of Adjustment Meeting July 2, 2012 Page 2 of 5 Approval of the minutes from the June 4, 2012 Board of Adjustment meeting. Motion• Board Member Neihues made a motion to approve the June 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes. Board Member Hoffman seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed with a vote of 4-0-0. Board of Adjustment Meeting July 2, 2012 Page 3 of 5 ADM 12-4152: Administrative Item (629 S. BLOCK STREET/HAMAKER, 523): Submitted by CHRIS HAMAKER for property located at 629 SOUTH BLOCK STREET. The property is zoned NC, NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION and contains approximately 0.15 acre. The request is to remove condition of approval #3 from the approval of BOA 11-3951 (629 S. Block/Hamaker). Andrew Garner, Senior Planner, gave the staff report. Board Member Kohler asked if the applicant's proposal would violate any code. Garner discussed that it would not violate a code but one of the conditions of approval. Board Member Kohler asked the applicant about their proposal. Chris Hamaker, applicant, discussed that they want to maximum the use of the property, including to provide a larger yard with the proposed layout. Board Member Knight asked about other homes in this neighborhood having two car carports and referred to the photos provided by the applicant. Chris Hamaker, applicant, indicated that there do not appear to be other homes that have two car carports. Many of the homes utilize on -street parking. Board Member Neihues discussed that some of the cars will hang over the sidewalk as designed as there is not enough room for cars to stack one behind the other. He discussed that the subject condition of approval was a small concession to get the two smaller lots by the variances. Board Member Knight discussed that the photos submitted by the applicant make it detrimental to their case as there are no similar homes to that proposed with large two -car carports right on the street. Albert Skiles, applicant's architect, gave a presentation discussing reasons for the site layout. He discussed that parking in the neighborhood is a mess and that the neighborhood is chaotic. He explained reasons for the carports in the front in order to utilize a larger backyard area. Board Member Hoffman discussed agreement with staff that parking in the neighborhood is not chaotic and is not a problem. He explained concerns that this layout is enabling a precedent for a suburban pattern in this urban setting. Board Member Neihues discussed that in contrast to the applicant he appreciates cars on the street as it protects the pedestrians walking on the sidewalk and creates a more pedestrian -friendly environment. Board Member Knight discussed that the Neighborhood Conservation (NC) zoning is intended to conserve the existing neighborhood and to minimize parking. Board of Adjustment Meeting July 2, 2012 Page 4 of 5 Board Member Kohler asked about re -orienting the lots to enter off of 7'h Street. He discussed that the build -to zone is intended to bring structures to the front of the lot which is what the applicant is doing with their carports. Board Member Hoffman discussed that the elevations submitted by the applicant are great, but that in less capable hands this would not be a desired pattern. Board Member Kohler discussed that we do not consider precedent in these decisions. Jason Kelley, Assistant City Attorney, discussed that this is not a variance. It is a request to amend the conditions of approval. The decision needs to be made whether it is necessary to have this condition in order to have the variances. Board Member Neihues discussed that having garages right on the street is against City Plan 2030. Board Member Knight discussed that 50% of the frontage will be carport No public comment was presented. Board Member Kohler discussed that there are no clearly defined requirements. What should apply? Board Member Knight stated that she understood why we wrote this condition. It is a goal of NC zoning to be compatible with the neighborhood. Board Member Neihues discussed City Plan 2030, the intent of what we are trying to create. Board Member Hoffman discussed that he would prefer a one -care structure. When the next applicant comes and shows up and if this is built, the character of the neighborhood would include these homes where 50% of the fagade for cars is a suburban prototype and we do not want to encourage this pattern in downtown Fayetteville. Board Member Neihues stated that this is not a suburban area. He discussed the logic behind this condition and can't see supporting the carports all the way to the front. There needs to be at least 18 feet between the sidewalk and the building for a car to park. Board Member Kohler discussed that he likes backyards and is in favor of the request. Board Member Hoffman discussed that a one -car carport would be in keeping with the neighborhood. Various Board members discussed options for designing these lots and modifying the request. Jason Kelley, Assistant City Attorney, discussed that the decision is should this condition be there. Board of Adjustment Meeting July Z 2012 Page 5 of 5 Motion: Board Member Knight made a motion to deny ADM 12-4152. Board Member Hoffman seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion passed with a vote of 3-1-0, with Board Member Kohler voting no. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.