HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Board of Adjustment 1996-09-03BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Board of Adjustment
September 1996
Board:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Absent:
Chairman Pauley, Members Barker, Baudek,
Newsom, Sager
Members Barker, Baudek, Newsom, Sager
Public Works Director Linnane, Building
Official Allman and Secretary Botic
Chairman Pauley
Vice Chairman Sager called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
MINUTES
The minutes of the August 6, 1996 meeting were accepted as
presented.
WHITE MEADOW VIEW PLACE. LOT 27. 840 FAWN LANE. BETTY KUEHL/
APPLICANT - REQUEST FOR VARIANCE FROM SECTION 17.20.040 Bl.a
AND b. OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE WHICH REQUIRES TEN FEET FROM THE
SIDE PROPERTY LINE AND TWENTY FIVE FEET FROM THE STREET. Vice
Chairman Sager stated he had previously viewed the property
with the Applicant and assisted in identifying two property
corners and advised Applicant to speak with John Allman and
Steve Stamey. Applicant is proposing to erect a detached
private garage to a single family dwelling. Building Official
Allman reviewed his staff report and recommended approval.
Mr. Allman clarified for the Board that this area is R-M
Residential and the garage will be for one car. No
correspondence was received; one telephone call was received
in support of the variance. There were no audience comments.
It was moved and seconded (Newsom-Barker) the setback variance
be approved for 840 Fawn Lane, Lot 27, White Meadow View
Place, and it passed unanimously.
RIVERSIDE SUBDIVISION. PORTION OF LOT 22. 253 EAST RIVERSIDE,
FRANK GUNTER/APPLICANT — REQUEST FOR VARIANCE FROM SECTION
17.20.040 B.2 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE WHICH REQUIRES A THIRTY
FOOT SETBACK FROM THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER. Applicant is
proposing to enclose an existing covered porch. Building
Official Allman reviewed the staff report recommending denial
explaining there is concern with adding to a nonconforming
structure. In response to Member Baudek's question, Mr.
Allman stated this proposal would not change the footprint of
the area, the footings are within the floodplain, the floor of
the structure is not in the floodplain. Mr. Allman stated
when improvements are made, values increase which present a
problem if/when there is damage. Mr. Allman did not foresee
a weight problem if the variance were approved; he suggested
hanging some type of covering rather than enclosing the porch.
Applicant's representative David Habecker stated he did not
dispute any of Staff's comments; he was on the Board of
Adjustment on March 3, 1994 when a similar request by the
Gunter's neighbor was denied. He stressed the difference with
this request is that the streambed would not be changed and
could alleviate a potential problem. He referred to the
information submitted with the Applicant's application which
stated 'the floor of the residence and existing deck are 1.45'
and 0.98' above the 100 year flood elevation per Van Horn
Engineering'. He stated the reason for the 30' setback is for
access to the river and not because of flooding. The access
to the river is not applicable in this case as there is
another house in this area and a riverwalk is not possible at
this time. He stated the request is simple and falls within
the Municipal guidelines. Member Newsom asked if the new area
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Board of Adjustment
September 3, 1996 Page 2
4.
would be winterized and recalled the March 1994 application
involved a second story. Member Newsom also stated the Board
attempts to treat all people equal and other requests have
been denied. Mr. Habecker responded there is a State law
requiring minimum insulation requirements if the porch would
be enclosed and noted using plywood for winter protection
would not require a building permit. Mr. Habecker stated
another difference from the 1994 application is that it would
have required supports which would have changed the flow of
the river. Vice Chairman Sager clarified the difference in
the two examples had to do with encroachment into the
riverbank and floodplain and noted floodplain regulations are
different from river requirements.
In response to Vice Chairman Sager's question, Public Works
Director Linnane stated construction may occur in a floodplain
in an existing non-confoinning building, however, if this were
a new structure, construction would not be allowed;
construction cannot occur in a floodway.
Mr. Habecker stated the work done so far on the porch was done
without a permit; there is now a red tag on the wall. The roof
was leaking and repairs were done to the roof and window
framing was added. He stated it would be advantageous to
remove the current support in the river at this time and
replace with steel beams.
Mr. Sager asked what the Town's liability would be if this
v?ere approved. Mr. Linnane stated in 1994 the FEMA officer
came to the Board of Adjustment meeting and even though the
finished space would have been above the 100 year flood
elevation, this would not have been legal and would have
jeopardized insurability and that no construction should occur
in the floodway. Mr. Sager read the following from the March
1994 minutes: "Attorney White explained that the purpose of
F.E.M.A. is to recognize and remove dangerous structures in
any area, not just the floodway. The ramifications of
qranting this variance are serious. The Town is required to
adopt and include Floodplain Regulations in the Zoning
Ordinances. If these regulations are not maintained, anyone
within Town limits needing commercial lending and/or flood
insurance will be denied. These regulations have been imposed
because of the two major floods in the Estes Valley which
claimed many lives and buildings."
Mr. Gunter reviewed his history with the home since 1974. He
noted the structure withstood the 1936 flood and appreciates
the Board and does not want to do anything illegal. He has
been doing his own work with one other individual and did
lengthen the porch by 4'. He stressed his work was not done
in defiance; he didn't realize he needed a building permit.
He does not believe he will have the house much longer due to
his age and at that time the Town will be free to purchase his
home and requested approval to improve his home. Mr. Sager
asked Mr. Gunter to recognize that the Board cannot jeopardize
other citizen's ability to be insurable.
It was moved and seconded (Baudek-Barker) the ''“iancf.
for 253 East Riverside, Portion of Lot 22, Riyersi
Subdivision, be continued to the October 1, 1996 s°
that Attorney White could clarify the floodway area, and it
passed unanimously.
rrmNTRY CLUB wawnp ADDITION. LOT 3, BLOCK 6, 441 ELM AVENUE^
nnwxn nwn DONNA J. SHULL/APPLICANTS -
gpoM gPCTTOW 17.20.040 B.l.a. AND b. _of the MUNICIPAL CODE.
Applicant is p^posing to erect an attached c^rport to a
storage building. Building official Allman reviewed his staff
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Board of Adjustment
September 2, 1996 Page 3
5.
report and noted that on July 15, 1996 he issued a 'Stop Work'
order and recommended denial of this request.
Mr. Sager requested Public Works Director Linnane give
information regarding Fir Avenue. Mr. Linnane stated the Town
has no immediate plans to construct Fir Avenue; if
construction were to occur the slope would need to be reduced
and some type of turnaround would need to be added. Mr.
Linnane responded to Mr. Sager's question on Fir Avenue
stating he considers Fir Avenue an alley. Mr. Allman stated
the Code addresses streets not alleys. Mr. Sager stated it
was not fair to penalize a person with two street 'fronts' and
this request could be for a 5' variance not 20' if the 'front'
of the property were reversed.
Applicant David Shull stated he didn't realize he couldn't
build a carport and does not plan to enclose the carport if
approved. He would complete the carport roof and add paint if
the request is approved.
Joe Pitsch, an adjacent neighbor, asked for clarification on
the rear setback for Fir Avenue as he would like to build a
garage in the future and did not have any objection to the
approval of this request.
Mr. Allman was not able to determine if the current structure
is in conformance with the Uniform Building Code. If
approved, the next step would be to apply, submit plans, and
comply with the UBC. Member Baudek noted the carport is
attached to a current structure and is not freestanding.
It was moved and seconded (Newsom-Barker) the setback variance
of 5' be approved for 441 Elm Avenue, Lot 3, Block 6, County
Club Manor Addition with the following conditions, and it
passed unanimously.
• The existing carport may remain in its current location
provided construction complies with the Uniform Building
Code.
• The carport will not be enclosed.
REPORTS
Mr. Sager expressed his appreciation to Mr. Allman for his
follow-up to Mr. Webermeier and stated that he disagreed with
the date for compliance, which could have been September 15,
1996 in lieu of October 15, 1996.
Mr. Sager expressed concern with Beaver Point Addition, Tract
12, Lot 1, 907 Moraine Avenue and their promise on April 4,
1995 to only display furniture on their front porch and not in
their front yard. After a discussion, it was agreed that Mr.
Allman would follow-up on this and in the future this type of
observation/concern could be taken care of directly with Mr.
Allman.
There being no further business. Vice Chairman Sager adjourned the
meeting 9:22 a.m.
Roxanne S. Botic, Recording Secretary