07-28-05 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing Meeting of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment MInutes

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Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of July 28, 2005 Page 2 Nays: Abstain: Ayes: Sidney Grant, George Maltsberger, Bob Capen, Alternate No. 1 Lawrence McNeal, and Alternate NO.2 Gilbert Montemayor Assistant City Attorney, Clark Askins, read aloud from Section 106-196 of the Code of Ordinances, which addresses Appeals. 4. CONSIDER VARIANCE REQUEST #V05-004 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE 1100 BLOCK OF BAYSHORE DRIVE, BAYSHORE PARK SUBDIVISION, TOWN OF LA PORTE, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. THE APPLICANT, RICHARD OGRIN ON BEHALF OF THE ALDERSGATE TRUST, IS SEEKING A VARIANCE FOR MULTI-FAMILY UNITS PER ACRE AND A SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO REDUCE NUMBER OF OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES FOR PROPOSED SENIOR'S COMPLEX. A. STAFF PRESENTATION Wayne Sabo, Director of Planning, presented the staff report. The proposed project is recognized as an extension of the current Happy Harbor Methodist Home for senior citizens, exempting the project from the distance requirement of 1,000 feet between each multi-family residential development. Mr. Ogrin has requested that a variance be made to allow 25 units per acre, as opposed to the 14 units per acre, as written in the Ordinance. In addition to a variance request for the issue of density, the applicant also requested a special exception for parking. Proposed parking accommodations are for 0.5 spaces per unit, due to the typical ages of the residents and their reduced need to keep a vehicle. Aldersgate Trust is relying on a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant in the amount of $4,668,941 to complete the project. The city mailed 34 public hearing notices to residents within 200' of the subject property. 7 were returned undeliverable. 1 response was received; opposed. B. PROPONENTS Mr. Richard Ogrin was sworn in to speak on behalf of Aldersgate Trust in favor of V05- 004. According to Mr. Ogrin, the additional density per acre would not affect traffic congestion in the area due to the average age of the residents. Residents of the facility would not be leaving several times a day, if at all. Mr. Ogrin presented information from current facilities around the State to show the practicality of a special exception to the current requirements for parking spaces. He proposed 0.5 spaces per unit, however he was willing to increase the number as long as it did not do detriment to the aesthetic appeal of the site on the whole (mature trees, greenery). C. OPPONENTS There were none. Mr. Ogrin responded to questions from the Board. Motion by George Maltsberger to approve Variance #V05-004, which allows the proposed senior apartment complex in the 1100 block of Bayshore Dr. to have 25 units per acre, and Special Exception 05-001 to allow 0.75 spaces per unit of off-street parking under the condition that the facility be maintained as senior apartments, never to be sold for other use. The motion was seconded by Lawrence McNeal. The motion carried. Nays: Abstain: Ayes: Sidney Grant, George Maltsberger, Bob Capen, Alternate No. 1 Lawrence McNeal, and Alternate NO.2 Gilbert Montemayor