HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Board of Adjustment 2000-09-05BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting of the Estes Valley Board of Adjustment
September 5, 2000, 8:00 a.m.
Board Room (Room 130), Estes Park Municipal Building
Board:
Attending:
Chair Jeff Barker, Members Joe Ball, Judy Lamy, Wayne
Newsom and Al Sager
Chair Barker, Members Ball, Lamy, Newsom and Sager
Also Attending: Senior Planner Joseph, Planner Shirk, and Recording
Secretary Wheatley
Absent:None
Chair Barker called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
1. MINUTES
The minutes of the August 1,2000, meeting were accepted as presented.
2. LOT 7. ROCKWOOD ESTATES SUBDIVISION. APPLICANT: MARK & KATHY
SEMERAD - SETBACK VARIANCE REQUEST FROM SECTION 4.3. TABLE 4-
2 OF THE ESTES VALLEY DEVELOPMENT CODE
Planner Shirk reviewed the Staff Report. The applicant proposes to construct a
detached garage resulting in a side yard setback of approximately 18 feet In lieu
of the 50-feet required in the RE Rural Estate zoning district. Steve Nichol of the
Portfolio Group represented the applicants. He described the limitations of the lot
and the interests of the neighbors.
There was no public comment. Correspondence from the Pruskauer’s and the
Rockwood Estates Property Owners Association were read and noted.
Based on the fact the homeowners association has endorsed the request,
the adjoining property owner has endorsed the request and the location
has been well thought out because of rock formations, it was moved and
seconded (Newsom/Sager) to approve the variance request with the
following conditions, and it passed unanimously.
1. Compliance with the submitted Site Plan for Lot 7, Rockwood Estates
Subdivision 2nd Filing.
2. The roof ridge shall be parallel to the view corridor of Lot 8, Rockwood
Estates.
3. Prior to pouring foundation, a setback certificate from a qualified professional
shall be required to determine location of footing.
3. LOT 20. WHITE MEADOW VIEW PLACE SUBDIVISION. APPLICANT: DAVID
& LINDA BUESING - SETBACK VARIANCE REQUEST FROM SECTION 4.3,
TABLE 4-2 OF THE ESTES VALLEY DEVELOPMENT CODE
Planner Shirk reviewed the Staff Report. Staff does not find any particular
hardship and recommends disapproval. Chief Building Official BIrchfield
reviewed the requirements of the building code. If construction is less than 3 feet
to the property line, special fire resistive construction is required. Linda Buesing
read a statement regarding their request.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Board of Adjustment
September 5, 2000 Page 2
There were no comments from the public.
Based on the fact the applicant failed to show any exceptional situations, it
was moved and seconded (Sager/Lamy) to disapprove the variance. Motion
passed 3 to 2. Those voting for: Sager, Barker, Ball. Those voting against:
Newsom and Lamy.
4. LOT 3. MARY’S LAKE SUBDIVISION. APPLICANT: SST BEAR LAKE LLC.
FRANK THEIS - SETBACK VARIANCE REQUEST FROM SECTION 7.6 E. 2. b.
OF THE ESTES VALLEY DEVELOPMENT COPE
Senior Planner Joseph reviewed the Staff Report. Staff feels that this is a
reasonable variance request and recommends approval with one condition. The
plans have been revised again that remove the building encroachment. Kimball
Crangle Krisman, Manager of Mary’s Lake Lodge, represented the applicant.
This is in Phase III of the project and will be constructed in about one year. The
applicant feels that they will be protecting this isolated wetland and the parking
area has been used historically and does not affect the wetland area. The Board
members expressed concern that someone would drive past the end of the
designated parking area.
No public comment.
Based on the fact the wetlands are being preserved, it was moved and
seconded (Newsom/Sager) to approve the variance request with the
following conditions, and it passed unanimously.
1. The wetlands area shall be fenced off during construction to prevent
unintended disturbance of the area.
2. Bumper blocks or similar restrictions to delineate the edge of the parking area
are required.
3. A 6-month time extension to the one-year variance period is granted to allow
for construction.
LOT 39. LITTLE VALLEY SUBDIVISION. APPLICANT: DALYN SCHMIDT &
MIKE MODEL - SETBACK VARIANCE REQUEST FROM SECTION 4.3. TABLE
4-2 OF THE ESTES VALLEY DEVELOPMENT CODE
Planner Shirk reviewed the Staff Report. Due to the steep, rocky, forested nature
of the site, the location of the proposed garage is in an area that will have
minimal visual impact on adjoining properties. Greg Westley, the builder,
represented the applicants and advised the efforts made to contact neighbors and
homeowners association. There was no negative response. Senior Planner
Joseph read correspondence from the Little Valley Homeowners Association
supporting this request.
Based on the topography of the site, it was moved and seconded
(Ball/Lamy) to approve the variance request with the following conditions,
and it passed unanimously.
1. Compliance with the submitted Site Plan for Lot 39, Little Valley 2nd Filing.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Board of Adjustment
September 5, 2000 Page 3
2. Prior to pouring the foundation, a setback certificate from a qualified
professional shall be required to determine location of footing.
LOT 70. FALL RIVER ADDITION. APPLICANT: JOHN MOYNIHAN - SETBACK
VARIANCE REQUEST FROM SECTION 4.3. TABLE 4-2 OF THE ESTES
VALLEY DEVELOPMENT CODE
Senior Planner Joseph reviewed the Staff Report. The owners are requesting a
variance to do improvements to the exterior of the building and the addition of a
deck to access the main door of the residence. The lot is steep and rocky to the
rear and sides of the building. Staff finds there are unique physical constraints on
the property and recommends approval. Statement of Intent refers to vacation
rentals; however, the variance request is only regarding the setback. The Light &
Power Department advised the request would be acceptable In regard to the
power pole located next to the proposed deck. Neither the applicant nor a
representative was present.
Public Comment:
Robert Mussman of Sunnyside Knoll Resort requested a requirement to improve
on the appearance of the site. The Board requested the Chief Building Official
Birchfield to comment and he advised the project was under construction with
new siding. Appearance, however, is not considered under the UBC.
Based on the recommendations of staff, it was moved and seconded
(Newsom/Ball) to approve the variance request with the following
conditions, and it passed unanimously.
1. Full compliance with the Unified Building Code.
2. Submittal of a setback certificate prepared by a qualified individual third party.
3. Setback reductions in accordance with the submitted site plan.
4. No use variance is being considered or granted.
7. LOT 18. WINDCLIFF ESTATES. 3rd FILING. APPLICANT: RAY VERM -
SETBACK & HEIGHT VARIANCE REQUESTS FROM SECTION 4.3. TABLE 4-
2 OF THE ESTES VALLEY DEVELOPMENT CODE
Senior Planner Joseph reviewed the Staff Report. The grade across the site is
steep (approximately 40%). There Is an existing sewer main that crosses the
property and presents another constraint on the buildable area. The setback
variance is significant, however, due to circumstances appeared justified. The
height variance request is substantial and perhaps could be reduced.
Jim Vander Voorst of BVZ Architects represented the applicants. He reviewed
the items that have already been done to reduce the variance required. They
have tried to mitigate the effect of the height by located it as low on the site as
possible and the use of the surrounding trees. There is no problem with the
requested conditions of approval. He reviewed the other options that were
available but less functional or aesthetically appealing.
Board Member Sager complimented the firm for the site preparation and staking.
The memo from the Larimer County Building Department was reviewed and
responded to by the architects and Chief Building Official Birchfield.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Board of Adjustment
September 5, 2000 Page 4
Public Comment:
John Hyatt, 3452 Eagle Cliff Circle Drive, chairman of the architectural control
committee of Windcliff Property Owners Association, spoke as an individual in
approval of the request.
John Hackett, adjoining property owner directly downslope, spoke about his
concern that the house could be lowered by increasing the grade of the driveway.
George Leonard, 1440 JungfrauTrail, member of the Board of Directors of
Windcliff POA, advised when his sister bought this property 3 years ago, he did
not know that there would be a height limitation.
Mr. Vander Voorst responded to Mr. Hackett’s comments. The former county
standard was 40 feet, but because of the method of measurement, this proposal
falls well below that standard. The driveway allows for a crown at the roadside
and a level spot at the bottom. They have tried to mitigate as much as possible
the height of the foundation level with construction design.
Based on the topography of the land, it was moved and seconded
(Newsom/Ball) to approve the variance requests for height variance of 49.5
ft. and setback of 15 ft. with the following conditions, and it passed
unanimously.
1. Full compliance with the Uniform Building Code.
2. Submittal of a setback certificate prepared by a qualified third party.
3. Non-reflective building materials shall be used on the roof and wall exteriors
(excluding windows).
4. Exterior colors shall be muted and selected to blend In with the surrounding
hillside.
5. New plantings shall be provided around the downhill side of the structure
consistent with good wildfire protection standards. These plantings shall be
carefully selected and located to reduce the perceived size and height of the
structure as viewed from off-site.
8. LOT 4. SUTTON LANE SUBDIVISION. APPLICANT: JOE & MARY BALL -
SETBACK VARIANCE REQUEST FROM SECTION 4.3. TABLE 4-2 OF THE
ESTES VALLEY DEVELOPMENT CODE
Board Member Ball removed himself due to conflict of interest.
Planner Shirk reviewed the Staff Report. The site is located within an older
established neighborhood that is characterized by unusually shaped lots. The
narrowness of the lot creates extenuating circumstances and staff recommends
approval. Board Member Sager requested better clarification and an improved
site plan. Senior Planner Joseph commented that the new aerial photography
base maps that will be available very soon would improve the Board’s ability for
review.
Joe Ball, 1061 Sutton Lane, reviewed his request. The lot is 65 feet wide and the
cabin is at an angle. The cabin was built in 1930. The 5 ft. back addition will be
used for a laundry, water heater and pressure tank, which is currently in the
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Board of Adjustment
September 5, 2000 Page 5
kitchen. The addition to the front will allow for a second story, which the old cabin
cannot support. A layout of the cabin was provided to the Board.
There was no public comment.
Based on staff findings, it was moved and seconded (Sager/Newsom) to
approve the variance request with the foliowing conditions, and it passed
unanimously.
1. Compliance with the submitted Ball Site Plan.
2. Prior to pouring foundation, a setback certificate from a qualified professional shall
be required to determine location of footing.
Board Member Sager made a request that the Estes Valley Board of Adjustment did
not occur after a Monday holiday. It was moved and seconded (Sager/Ball) that
the meeting date not be immediately following a holiday, and it passed
unanimously.
There being no further business, Chair Barker adjourned the meeting at 10:47 a.m.
Jeff Barker, Chair
^~fy\ LXyfuntk
Meribeth Wheatley, Recording Secretary