02-28-08 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment

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Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of February 28, 2008 Page 3 of 4 Ayes: Nays: Abstain: Assistant City Attorney, Clark Askins read aloud from Section 106-196 of the Code of Ordinances, which addresses Appeals. Motion by Chester Pool to request Chairman Maltsberger forward a letter to City Council, on behalf of the Board, respectfully requesting a review of Code of Ordinances Section 106-875 (H) dealing with the spacing requirements for billboards. Second by Rod Rothermel. The motion carried. Pool, Maltsberger, Capen, Schoppe Rothermel None Ayes: Nays: Abstain: Pool, Rothermel, Maltsberger, Capen, Schoppe None None 4. CONSIDER VARIANCE REQUEST #V08-001 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3209 SOUTH BROADWAY, FURTHER DESCRIBED BY THE HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT AS LOT 15 AND EAST 57.9 FT. OF LOT 16, BAY OAKS, W.P. HARRIS SURVEY, ABSTRACT 30, LA PORTE, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. THE APPLICANT SEEKS A VARIANCE TO REPLACE AN EXISTING GAS CANOPY WITH A LARGER CANOPY AT THE CONVENIENCE STORE/GAS STATION. THIS VARIANCE IS BEING SOUGHT UNDER THE TERMS OF SECTION 106-192 (b) (2) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES. A. STAFF PRESENTATION Masood Malik presented Staffs Report. Naved Anwar, agent for La Porte Petroleum Corporation, Inc., has requested a variance to replace a 500 sq ft. existing gas canopy with a larger 1,000 sq. ft. canopy at the convenience store/gas station located at 3209 S. Broadway. Enlargement of the canopy would increase the pre-existing nonconformities at the subject property. Public hearing notices were mailed to 15 property owners located within 200 feet of the subject tract. The City received two responses favoring the variance. B. PROPONENTS Chairman Maltsberger swore in Khelid M. Khan, 903 Crosstimbers, Houston, Texas, contractor for the owner. Mr. Khan explained that this location has received approval for the Valero brand. Valero's specifications require a minimum canopy size of 20' x 50'. Mr. Khan believes the requested improvements would help the look of the neighborhood. He stated that all city requirements would be met. Chairman Maltsberger swore in Salim Qadr. Mr. Qadr, property owner, bought the property in 2004 when it was branded Chevron. He has experienced a 60% decline in business ever since the convenience store across the street was rebuilt. Mr. Qadr feels he can improve his business by updating the store, as well as help the neighborhood look better. C. OPPONENTS There were none.