HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Board of Adjustment 2002-12-03BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting of the Estes Valley Board of Adjustment
December 3, 2002, 8:00 a.m.
Board Room, Estes Park Municipal Building
Board:
Attending:
Chair Joe Ball, Members Jeff Barker, Judy Lamy, Wayne Newsom
and Al Sager
Chair Ball, Members Sager, Barker and Newsom
Also Attending: Director Joseph, Planner Shirk and Recording Secretary
Williamson
Absent:Member Lamy and Planner Chilcott
Chair Ball called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. The following minutes reflect the
order of the agenda and not necessarily the chronological sequence.
1.
2.
CONSENT AGENDA
a. The minutes of the November 5, 2002 meeting were accepted as presented.
b.Unplatted parcel at the intersection of Kiowa Drive and Mary’s Lake Road,
Applicant: Mary’s Lake Lodge - continued to the January meeting at the
request of the applicant.
LOT 12, ELKHORN CLUB ESTATES. 330 FALL RIVER LANE. APPLICANT
KATHERINE GRACE - VARIANCE REQUEST FROM SECTION 4.3. TABLE 4-2.
SECTION 7.6.E.1 AND APPENDIX D.III.3 OF THE ESTES VALLEY
DEVELOPMENT CODE
Planner Shirk reviewed the staff report. This is a request to build a detached two-car
garage on a lot in Elkhorn Club Estates. The Fall River runs through this lot, separating
a portion of the back yard from development potential. In addition, the river setback,
combined with the front yard setback, creates an exceptionally narrow “building
envelope . There is an existing single-family residence on the property and a rock
outcropping adjacent to the house. This rock outcropping is in the only area that the
garage could be built without a variance. If the garage were built in that location, the
rock outcropping would have to be removed, as would mature trees. This request also
includes a variance to have a second driveway curb cut on the same lot. This is due to
the existing parking area being directly in front of the house, and the proposed garage
off to the north, thus requiring a different drive location. The applicant requests to keep
the existing drive parking area in addition to a new drive to serve the proposed garage.
Staff does not consider the setback requests substantial due to site conditions.
However, the addition of the second driveway, which has not been allowed since the
adoption of the EVDC, would be substantial and is not the minimum variance that
would afford reliqf. Staff suggests the existing driveway be removed and planted with
native grass seed mixture, or the rocks in from of the proposed driveway could be
relocated to close off the existing driveway. The essential character of the
neighborhood would not substantially change.
Board Member Sager questioned whether or not Cornerstone or the property owner
was informed that the property needed to be staked prior to the meeting. Planner Shirk
stated that Cornerstone is fully aware of the staking requirement. He stated that the
requirement to stake the property is also on the application form. Board Member Sager
stated that the property was not staked and therefore he was unable to determine
where the proposed garage or driveway would be placed. Board Member Newsom
confirmed that the property was not staked.
Director Joseph advised that it would be appropriate to continue this item for one month
to allow the applicant time to stake the site properly. Board Member Sager stated that
under the circumstances he feels this item should be continued to the January meeting
due to the lack of information.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Board of Adjustment
December 3,2002 Page 2
It was moved and seconded (Sager/Newsom) to continue this item to the January
meeting due to the iack of information and staking of the property, and the
motion passed with one absent. Those voting “yes” Sager, Baii, and Newsom.
Those voting “no” Barker.
Board Member Barker questioned whether or not staff has looked into those properties
mentioned in the last meeting that were stated to have 2 curb cuts. Director Joseph
stated that the home on Cherokee Drive has 2 curb cuts that were authorized and
therefore grandfathered. The home on Sharon Court has an illegal second curb cut.
Will Birchfield, Chief Building Official, has met with both the contractor and the owner to
discuss the issue; however there has been no resolution. Board Member Barker stated
that if we are not going to allow one property owner to have a second curb cut, then we
should not allow anyone else to have 2 curb cuts. Director Joseph advised that most of
the streets within the Town do not have curbs, and therefore makes it increasingly
difficult to regulate unauthorized curb cuts.
Chair Ball asked if there have been discussions to allow a second curb cut if the
property owner was willing to pay. Director Joseph stated that Public Works feels that
this is the right policy. He feels they would appose any change to this policy.
Board Member Sager stated that the current signage used is not large enough.
Director Joseph advised that staff could make the signs 11x17 instead of the current 8
>2x11. Board Member Barker asked if it would be possible to obtain real estate signs
that could be placed on the property. Director Joseph stated that staff would look into
other sign options.
3. REPORTS
Planner Shirk stated that he has done some research on the Windcliff Subdivision, 5th
Filing and found that there are 15 vacant lots left in the subdivision. He has sent a
letter to the Homeowner’s Association requesting the rezoning of these properties to
the “E” zoning district, which would provide setbacks in line with the property size.
Director Joseph received a fax on December 2,2002 from the Larimer County District
Court that affirmed the Board of Adjustments decision that the Coulson property is one
lot under the Estes Valley Development Code.
There being no further business. Chair Ball adjourned the meeting at 8:32 a.m.
Joe Ball./Chair
Jac(^elyH Williamson, Recording Secretary