BZA Tables Variance Request
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Riagan Shell had requested a variance from development standards to allow a carriage house/accessory dwelling unit at 907 S. Union St.
Assistant City Planner Tim Dombrosky told the board the applicant wasn’t at the meeting but it was properly advertised.
“Currently, our zoning ordinances don’t allow this type of use. The only thing that we would allow is attached – a duplex or double family would be the closest thing,” he said. “So in a request like this, it has to come before the BZA. Currently, we’re looking at changes to the plan commission that might resolve that, but as it stands, this type of use would have to come before you for variance from development standards.”
The property is in a Residential-1 zoned district. Duplexes and double family are not permitted in R-1, he said, but the lot is larger than a typical urban lot.
“It’s pretty deep. It’s got fairly normal width, but it’s pretty deep, which means it has some inaccessible space in the back,” he said.
Shell is requesting an accessory building for her and her children to live in, Dombrosky stated. With the lot as narrow as it is, which wouldn’t permit an access easement, the type of accessory building unit that Shell is requesting would be the only development option, he said.
The property backs up to the Wildman Business Group property and is near apartment buildings and dentist offices.
“It’s a fairly dense neighborhood,” he said, so the request wouldn’t “be out of character.”
Board Vice President Rick Keeven asked if they heard any input back from the mailings to adjacent neighbors. Dombrosky said they had not. As part of the process, a petitioner must mail the neighbors about their application to the BZA.
Recording Secretary Kim Arnold then notified the board they did not receive the mailings for the petition. City attorney Mike Valentine told the board its best option was to table the petition.
“I, truthfully, would be more comfortable with the petitioner here,” board member Tammy Dalton stated. She made a motion to table the application, which was unanimously approved.
In other business:
• The board voted to keep Tom Allen as president and Rick Keeven as vice president for 2016.
• Mayor Joe Thallemer gave board members Jeff Johnson and Keeven the oath of office.
Keeven was reappointed to the board and has served on it since 1988.
Johnson is taking the place of Jack Wilhite. Wilhite was elected to the city council and as an elected official he can’t serve on the BZA. Wilhite had one year left on his term, which Johnson will now finish out.
Dalton was sworn in last year, she said. Board members not present Monday were Allen and Dan Smith.
• Thallemer also gave Dave Baumgartner the oath of office for the Plan Commission. He has three years remaining on his term.
• The 2016 schedule was approved. The board meets the fourth Monday of the month except where noted.
Meetings are scheduled for Feb. 22, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 26, Oct. 24, Nov. 28 and Dec. 26.[[In-content Ad]]
Riagan Shell had requested a variance from development standards to allow a carriage house/accessory dwelling unit at 907 S. Union St.
Assistant City Planner Tim Dombrosky told the board the applicant wasn’t at the meeting but it was properly advertised.
“Currently, our zoning ordinances don’t allow this type of use. The only thing that we would allow is attached – a duplex or double family would be the closest thing,” he said. “So in a request like this, it has to come before the BZA. Currently, we’re looking at changes to the plan commission that might resolve that, but as it stands, this type of use would have to come before you for variance from development standards.”
The property is in a Residential-1 zoned district. Duplexes and double family are not permitted in R-1, he said, but the lot is larger than a typical urban lot.
“It’s pretty deep. It’s got fairly normal width, but it’s pretty deep, which means it has some inaccessible space in the back,” he said.
Shell is requesting an accessory building for her and her children to live in, Dombrosky stated. With the lot as narrow as it is, which wouldn’t permit an access easement, the type of accessory building unit that Shell is requesting would be the only development option, he said.
The property backs up to the Wildman Business Group property and is near apartment buildings and dentist offices.
“It’s a fairly dense neighborhood,” he said, so the request wouldn’t “be out of character.”
Board Vice President Rick Keeven asked if they heard any input back from the mailings to adjacent neighbors. Dombrosky said they had not. As part of the process, a petitioner must mail the neighbors about their application to the BZA.
Recording Secretary Kim Arnold then notified the board they did not receive the mailings for the petition. City attorney Mike Valentine told the board its best option was to table the petition.
“I, truthfully, would be more comfortable with the petitioner here,” board member Tammy Dalton stated. She made a motion to table the application, which was unanimously approved.
In other business:
• The board voted to keep Tom Allen as president and Rick Keeven as vice president for 2016.
• Mayor Joe Thallemer gave board members Jeff Johnson and Keeven the oath of office.
Keeven was reappointed to the board and has served on it since 1988.
Johnson is taking the place of Jack Wilhite. Wilhite was elected to the city council and as an elected official he can’t serve on the BZA. Wilhite had one year left on his term, which Johnson will now finish out.
Dalton was sworn in last year, she said. Board members not present Monday were Allen and Dan Smith.
• Thallemer also gave Dave Baumgartner the oath of office for the Plan Commission. He has three years remaining on his term.
• The 2016 schedule was approved. The board meets the fourth Monday of the month except where noted.
Meetings are scheduled for Feb. 22, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 26, Oct. 24, Nov. 28 and Dec. 26.[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092