HomeMy WebLinkAboutVARIANCE Setback 1711 Mills Dr 2018-02-05
1711 Mills Dr.–Building Setback Variance
Estes Park Community Development Department, Planning Division
Room 210, Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Avenue
PO Box 1200, Estes Park, CO 80517
Phone: 970-577-3721 Fax: 970-586-0249 www.estes.org
E STES V ALLEY B OARD OF A DJUSTMENT
th
MEETINGDATE& LOCATION:February52018; Board Room, Town Hall, 170 MacGregor
Avenue
APPLICANT REQUEST:This is a request for a variance to Estes Valley Development Code
(EVDC) Section 4.4.B. Table 4-5 Base Densityand Dimensional Standards Non-Residential
Zoning Districts.The Variance would allowone2’ footside and one 13’ foot sidesetback
in lieu of the15’ footrequired setbacks in the A-1(Accommodation) zone districton
two existing buildings.
The purpose of the Variance is to allowtwo existing structures to remain; a cabin and garage.
Staff recommends approval.
LOCATION:1711 Mills Dr. Estes Park, CO 80517(County)
VICINITY MAP:See attachment
APPLICANT/OWNER:Jay Vetter/Same
STAFF CONTACT:Robin Becker, Planner I
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:The Variance would allow one 2’ foot side and one 13’ foot side
setback in lieu of the 15’ foot required setbacks in the A-1 (Accommodation) zone district
on two existing buildings.
The A-1 Accommodationzone district requires a 15’ foot front setback.
Thelot has anexistingcabinthat already extendsroughly13’feet into thesidesetbackorroughly
2’feet from the property line.The lot also has an existing garage that extends 2’feet into the side
setback or roughly 13’feet from the property line.It is unknown when this encroachment occurred
and the owner was aware of the non-conformity at time of purchase. What was unknown was the
implication of being within the setbacks on the ability to secure an “as-built” permit to satisfy the
Vacation Home life safety inspection Larimer County Requirement.
By correcting this non-conformitythis would also allow theowners to continue to operate as a
vacation home within the County and tidy up two setback encroachments.
REVIEW CRITERIA:In accordance with Section 3.6 C. “Standards for Review” of the EVDC, all
applications for variances shall demonstrate compliance with the applicable standards and criteria
contained therein. The Board of Adjustment is the decision-making body for this application.
REFERRALAND PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Public Notice. Written notice has been mailed to 10 surrounding property owners. A legal notice
was published in the Trail Gazette. The application is posted on the department “Current
Applications” webpage. The site has been posted with a “Development Proposal” sign (Attached).
Affected Agencies. This request has been routed to reviewing agency staff for review and
comment. No significant comments/concerns were received by reviewing agency staff.
Public Comments. Staff has received one public comment to date, copy attached. Any written
comments received after January 31, 2018 will be posted to the “Current Applications” webpage
under public comment.
STAFF FINDINGS:
1) Special circumstances or conditions exist (e.g., exceptional topographic conditions,
narrowness, shallowness or the shape of the property) that are not common to other areas or
buildings similarly situated and practical difficulty may result from strict compliance with this
Code’s standards, provided that the requested variance will not have the effect of nullifying or
impairing the intent and purposes of either the specific standards, this Code or the
Comprehensive Plan.
Staff Finding:
The property is approximately .42-acres in size and is zoned A-1 (Accommodation). The
setbacks for A -1 zoning are 15’ from the the front on a local street, 10’ from the side and
15’ from the rear setbacks. The existing cabin is placed within the side setback on the
west by 13’ feet. The existing garage is placed within the side setback on the east by 2’
feet.
Staff believes that the special circumstances of both structures (garage and cabin) existing
in the setback is not common and will not nullify the intent and purposes of the specific
standards the code or the comprehensive plan.
2) In determining "practical difficulty," the BOA shall consider the following factors:
a) Whether there can be any beneficial use of the property without the variance;
Staff Finding:
Without the variance, there cannot be beneficial use of the property. These properties
have existed in their two locations for at least two decades. Without a variance the owners
may eventually be faced with removing the two buildings and forfeit their Vacation home
license. Given the surrounding neighborhood having similar cabins and accessory
structures existing in their respective setbacks and the fact that County is requiring the
homeowners to obtain this variance to obtains the required permits, staff finds that no
beneficial use of the property can be had without a variance.
b) Whether the variance is substantial;
Staff Finding: The requested variance would establish an east side setback at 13’ out of
15’ and a west side setback of 2’ out of 15’. These are an 86.66% and 13.3% reduction
from the code. The overall proposed setbacks of 2’ and 13’ is substantial. Staff finds that
that where the structures are currently located will be minimal as they have been located
1711 Mills Dr. – Building setback
Page 2 of 5
variance
in theselocationsfor quite some time.It is unknown when the nonconformity occurred.
Staff does not find that granting this variance would be a substantial request.
c) Whether the essential character of the neighborhood would be substantially altered or
whether adjoining properties would suffer a substantial detriment as a result of the
variance;
Staff Finding:
The character of the area would not be substantially altered, and the adjoining properties
would not suffer a detriment (no impact to drainage, migration corridors, etc). No new
construction is expected as a result of this process. Staff believes the proposed variance
would not cause any detriment to nearby properties.
d) Whether the variance would adversely affect the delivery of public services such as water
and sewer.
Staff Finding:
The variance would not adversely affect the delivery of public services such as water and
sewer. This project has been routed to affected agencies and no major concerns were
made. Staff believes the proposed variance would not cause any detriment to the delivery
of public services.
e) Whether the Applicant purchased the property with knowledge of the requirement;
Staff Finding:
The applicant purchased the property and were informed by a realtor that the buildings
were properly permitted. It was not until the Vacation Home license registration process
was underway that the owners were informed of the two structures being within the
setbacks and the impact this would cause. Staff finds that granting the variance would
help the applicant overcome the hardship of making sure the home is within compliance
and allow for the continued use of the vacation registration.
f) Whether the Applicant's predicament can be mitigated through some method other than a
variance.
Staff Finding:
The structures are already built within the setback; short of tearing down the two structures
or not allowing the use of the vacation registration the applicant’s predicament is pretty
limited. One option is to allow the structures to remain within the setbacks, continue to be
nonconforming and not allow the use of the vacation license. Staff finds this inappropriate
for the applicant as the structures were already within the setback when the property was
bought. Not granting the variance would eventually have negative consequences with or
without the vacation-home element.
3) No variance shall be granted if the submitted conditions or circumstances affecting the
Applicant’s property are of so general or recurrent a nature as to make reasonably practicable
the formulation of a general regulation for such conditions of situations.
1711 Mills Dr. – Building setback
Page 3 of 5
variance
Staff Finding:
The conditions of this application are not general to the Estes Valley. It is not common to
have structures located partially within a required setback. One could argue variances of
this nature are becoming more common due to the zoning of this (and other) properties
as incorrect to begin with. Any significant change in zoning is not likely to be accomplished
quickly or easily. Zoning code and zoning map changes have proven to be difficult in Estes
Valley. A variance is the only feasible alternative in the short term.
4) No variance shall be granted reducing the size of lots contained in an existing or proposed
subdivision if it will result in an increase in the number of lots beyond the number otherwise
permitted for the total subdivision, pursuant to the applicable zone district regulations.
Staff Finding:
No reduction in lot size or increase in number of lots is proposed by this variance request.
5) If authorized, a variance shall represent the least deviation from the regulations that will afford
relief.
Staff Finding:
A setback Variance as requested would be the least deviation from Code that would allow
the existing buildings to continue to be located at this site.
6) Under no circumstances shall the BOA grant a variance to allow a use not permitted, or a use
expressly or by implication prohibited under the terms of this Code for the zone district
containing the property for which the variance is sought.
Staff Finding:
The variance does not propose a non-permitted or prohibited use.
7) In granting such variances, the BOA may require such conditions at will, in its independent
judgment, secure substantially the objectives of the standard so varied or modified.
Staff Finding: Staff is not recommending any conditions be placed on this approval.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends APPROVAL of the requested variance.
SUGGESTED MOTIONS
I move to APPROVE the requested variance with the findings recommended by staff.
I move to DENY the requested variance with the following findings (state reason/findings for
denial).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Vicinity map
2. Statement of Intent
3. Public Comment
4. Application
5. Variance sign photos
1711 Mills Dr. – Building setback
Page 4 of 5
variance
6.Site plan
1711 Mills Dr. – Building setback
Page 5 of 5
variance
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February 6, 2019
Jay and Maureen Vetter
1711 Mills Dr.
Estes Park, CO 80517
RE: Setback Variance
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Vetter,
On February 5, 2019, the Estes Valley Board of Adjustment APPROVED your request
for two setback variances from EVDC Section 4.3(C)(4) Table 4-
Dimensional Standards . These two variances would
permit a 2side setback from the west property line
property line in li per the R-Residential Zoning District.
Please keep this letter for your records. Should you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Robin Becker
Planner I
170 MACGREGOR AVE. P.O. BOX 1200, ESTES PARK CO. 80517 WWW.ESTES.ORG
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