01-24-2002 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment

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Zoning Board of•Adjustment • Mnutes of January 24, 2002 ' Page 6 VI. CONSIDER VARIANCE #V02-001 TO ALLOW REDUCED SETBACKS FOR CHURCHILL PLACE APARTMENTS AS PER SECTION 106192B(2) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE. Ms. Goodwin presented staff's report. Churchill Place Apartments is a proposed apartment complex to be located at 1201 S. Broadway, and designed exclusively for the senior population. Al Fairfield, representing LaPorte Venture LTD, has requested a variance from the required bw7ding setbacks of .25'-20'-20' to 20'-10-10; 20' on the front (along Broadway) and 10' along "K" Street, Oregon Street, and along the inside property lines by the undeveloped portions of "L" Street and Texas Avenue. A. PROPONENTS Mr. Fairfield explained how the project could be .built without the variance. With the . variance, he will be able to build a better project because reduced setbacks would provide space for the buildings to be staggered rather than lined~up in a row. It would also allow for more practical use of green space. Mr. Fairfield agreed a 25' setback should be maintained along the front of the property instead of 20' as ' requested in his application. Mr. Fairfield expects to spend between $125,000 and $150,000 on landscaping for the project. Eugene Samson asked about stormwater drainage. Chairperson Grant asked Mr. Kneupper to explain the drainage scenario for this project. Mr. Kneupper explained the City has a stormwater cntena manual, which includes information on watersheds that require detention. This project will be located in the Little Cedar Bayou Watershed; which does not require detention. The City intends to work with the project engineer to mitigate the development's impact on localized flooding. B. OPPONENTS No opposition was presented Staff feels the request does not meet the criteria for a variance and recommended denial. Motion by Bob Capers to approve Variance #02 -001 as follows: ^ The minimum front building setback shall remain at 25', and the rear and side setbacks shall be reduced to 10'. Second by Ruben Salinas. Motion carried with all in favor. VII. STAFF REPORTS There were no other staff reports. In other matters, Ruben Salinas moved to change the start time for Board meetings from 7:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Second by Rod Rothermel. The time change was approved with all in favor.