11-29-12 Special Called Meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment

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Board of Adjustment November 29, 2012 412-93000007 Page 2 of 3 ❖ That literal enforcement of the chapter will result in unnecessary hardship because of exceptional narrowness, shallowness, shape, topography or other extraordinary or exceptional physical situation unique to the specific piece of property in question. "Unnecessary hardship" shall mean physical hardship relating to the property itself as distinguished from a hardship relating to convenience, financial considerations or caprice, and the hardship must not result from the applicant or property owner's own actions; and ❖ That by granting the variance, the spirit of the chapter will be observed. Regarding this request, the relief being sought to: • Allow a 50' wide driveway with 25' radius to remain in place. The applicant has consulted two engineering firms, which have recommended a 50' driveway with 25' radius for the safe operations of the facility. Disadvantages of a 40' wide driveway with 15'radius include: • Insufficient width for two way traffic as truck and trailer will end up pulling into an opposite lane before entering the property • Trucks not able to safely enter and exit the facility. • Cause unnecessary safety risks and potential for temporary traffic problems. The main access to the facility is along Strang Road, a 20' wide asphalt roadway. A wider driveway with broader radius along this narrow two lane roadway would allow traffic to directly enter the facility and provide the width and depth necessary to easily enter/exit the property via Strang Road. In addition, this part of town is surrounded by the Battleground Industrial District to the north and west, State Highway 146 North to the east, and State Highway 225 to the south. In determining if granting the applicant's request would be contrary to the public interest, staff recognizes that construction of this driveway may not create a problem with the adjoining properties. Surrounding properties are basically industrial in nature and may not be impacted with this development. DuPont Industries located to its north, is a major supplier of building and construction materials, maintenance supplies, chemicals, and consumer goods. While, Praxair is a provider of industrial gases including atmospheric, process and specialty gases.