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<br />Staff Report November 6, 2008 <br />Variance Request #V 08-006 <br /> <br />Requested by: Walter Johnson, La Porte Commercial Properties, LLC. <br /> <br />Requested for: Lots 17 thru 24, Block 327; Town of La Porte, Johnson Hunter Survey, <br />Abstract 35, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. <br /> <br />Location: 601 & 613 North Broadway <br /> <br />Zonm!!: General Commercial (GC) <br /> <br />Back2round: Applicant is requesting a variance to allow a fence to remain erected 10' <br />from the front property line along North Broadway. The property is zoned <br />General Commercial (GC) and the City's Code of Ordinances prohibits a <br />fence being erected within the required landscape portion of any yard or 20' <br />front yard setback in the commercial zoning districts. <br /> <br />The new fence constructed at site was not shown on the site plan approved <br />by the City. In addition, the fence has been erected prior to issuance of any <br />fence permit by the City. Upon application to receive occupancy certificate, <br />the City Officials informed the applicant of the requirements of the current <br />ordinance and provision of an approved site plan. The applicant stated that <br />he would comply with the ordinance, but he wanted to keep the fence in <br />place, which matches with the neighboring fence to the north of this site. <br /> <br />The site development plan for this property was approved in 2007. The <br />property on lots 9 thru 16 of block 327 has been developed as per approved <br />plan, showing two 4,000 square foot office/warehouse buildings with two <br />driveways along North 1 sl Street. The buildings at lots 17-24 of block 327 <br />have not been constructed. A 6' high chain link fence protecting buildings at <br />North 1 sl Street and two driveways are in place along North Broadway. <br /> <br />The applicant has submitted a variance request that seeks permission to <br />reduce the standard front yard setback requirement in order to keep a newly <br />constructed fence at 10' off front property line instead of 20'required by the <br />ordinances. According to the applicant, front yard fence with a rolling gate <br />is desired for the safe and secure operation of the business in this area. In <br />addition, the fence is constructed and aligned with the adjoining fence to the <br />north. <br /> <br />Staff analyzed the surrounding area and based upon site inspections and <br />visual from the street, noted the following: <br />