HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-22-13 Regular Meeting of the La Porte Zoning Board of AdjustmentZoning Board of Adjustment
Minutes of August 22, 2013
Board Members Present: Rod Rothermel, Chester Pool, Charles Schoppe, and T.J. Walker
Board Members Absent: Lawrence McNeal (Alt 1) and Sherman Moore (Alt 2)
George Maltsberger (resigned)
City Staff Present: City Planner Masood Malik, Public Improvement Coordinator Reagan
McPhail, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins, and Office Coordinator
Peggy Lee
1. Call to Order.
Vice -Chairman Rod Rothermel called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Consider approval of the June 27, 2013, meeting minutes.
With no objection presented, the June 27, 2013, minutes were approved as presented.
3. A public hearing will be held to consider Variance Request #13-93000004 for the property
located at 1212 Robinson Road, further described as Lots 6, TRS SA & 7A, Block 2, Coronet
Park, Section 1, Enoch Brinson Survey, Abstract No. 5, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. The
applicant seeks a variance to allow a fence to be constructed in the front yard area contrary to
the provisions of Section 106-791 of the Code of Ordinances. The variance is being sought
under the terms of Section 106-192 (b) (2) (b) of the Code of Ordinances.
A. Staff Presentation
City Planner Masood Malik presented the staff report for Variance Request #13-93000004.
Property owners Manuel and Glenda Castillo are constructing a new home and are seeking
approval of a variance allowing a new fence to be erected on the property line within the
front yard setback area at 1212 Robinson Road. Mr. Malik noted that property line fences
are common in this area of town.
Public hearing notices were mailed to ten property owners located within 200' of the
subject tract. The City did not receive any responses to the mailout.
B. Proponents
Manuel Castillo was sworn in by Vice -Chairman Rothermel. Mr. Castillo, 3874 Pecan Circle,
addressed the Board. Mr. Castillo spoke of safety concerns he has for his granddaughter
since one of his neighbors has a swimming pool.
C. Opponents
There were no opponents.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Minutes of August 22, 2013
Page 2 of 4
D. Proponents Rebuttal
There were no rebuttals.
Motion by T.J. Walker to approve Variance Request #13-93000004 allowing a fence to be
constructed on the property line within the front yard setback area at 1212 Robinson Road.
Second by Charles Schoppe. Motion carried.
Ayes: Rod Rothermel, Chester Pool, Charles Schoppe, and T.J. Walker
Nays: None
Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read from Section 106-196 of the Code of Ordinances:
Appeals from the Board of Adjustment.
4. A public hearing will be held to consider Special Exception #13-94000001 for the property
located at 124 South 2nd Street, further described as Lots 17-21, Block 39, Town of La Porte,
Johnson Hunter Survey, Abstract 35, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. The applicant seeks a
special exception to allow a driveway to be located 22 feet from the intersection of West "A"
Street and South 2"d Street in lieu of the 40-foot minimum distance requirement from
intersections. The special exception is being sought under the terms of Section 106-191 (b) (3)
of the City's Code of Ordinances.
A. Staff Presentation
City Planner Masood Malik presented the staff report for Special Exception Request #13-
94000001. The City of La Porte is constructing a parking lot near the recently completed
Fire Station No. 1. The City is seeking approval of a special exception to allow a reduced
driveway distance from an intersection in order to align the driveways with the bays of Fire
Station No. 1 and maximize the number of parking spaces for the proposed parking lot. The
parking lot will serve personnel and patrons of the Fire Department, as well as visitors
during Main Street events.
Public hearing notices were mailed to 24 property owners located within 200' of the subject
tract. The City received one response in favor of the special exception.
B. Proponents
There were no proponents.
C. Opponents
Vice -Chairman Rothermel swore in William T. Manning, Jr., 108 S. 2"d Street. Mr. Manning
was unsure if he was in favor or opposed to the request, but he did have concerns with the
t-alley and drainage. The alley has not been accessible since the new fire station was
constructed.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Minutes of August 22, 2013
Page 3 of 4
Vice -Chairman Rothermel advised Mr. Manning that the issues he had brought up were not
part of the request being considered.
Vice -Chairman Rothermel swore in Tom Gardner, 11918 N. Ave. "P" Street. Mr. Gardner
had been notified there would be a variance request for N. "P" Street. Mr. Malik reported
that particular item had been withdrawn by the applicant.
D. Proponents Rebuttal
There were no rebuttals.
Mr. Malik responded to questions from the Board confirming there are improvements planned
for the intersection and there is not a visibility issue with the site triangle.
Mr. Pool wanted to ensure the alley remains accessible and any drainage problems are avoided.
Motion by Chester Pool to approve Special Exception Request #13-94000001 allowing a
driveway to be located 22 feet from the intersection of West "A" Street and South 2"d Street in
lieu of the 40-foot minimum distance requirement from intersections.
Second by T.J. Walker. Motion carried.
Ayes: Rod Rothermel, Chester Pool, Charles Schoppe, and T.J. Walker
Nays: None
Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read from Section 106-196 of the Code of Ordinances:
Appeals from the Board of Adjustment.
5. Administrative Reports
Mr. Malik reported on the following proposed developments:
• 75-lot residential subdivision west of Sens Road and north of Spencer Highway
• Two convenience store/gas stations; one along Underwood Road at "L" Street and
another along Fairmont Parkway at Canada Road.
• Retail development along SH 146 south of Main Street.
• Senior multi -family development along Canada Road known as Mariposa at Pecan Park.
6. Board comments on matters appearing on agenda or inquiry of staff regarding specific factual
information or existing policy.
There were no comments from the Board.
7. Adjourn
Motion by T.J. Walker to adjourn. Second by Chester Pool. The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Minutes of August 22, 2013
Page 4 of 4
Respectfully submitted,
PeggyLt6t! v
Secretary, Zoning Board ofAdjustment
Passed and Approved on 2013.
Rod Rothermel
Vice -Chairman, Zoning Board of Adjustment