HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-14 Regular Meeting of the La Porte Zoning Board of Adjustment minutesBoard Members Present:
Board Members Absent
City Staff Present:
1. Call to Order.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Minutes of March 27, 2014
Rod Rothermel, Charles Schoppe, T.J. Walker, Sherman Moore (Alt 1),
and Nettie Warren (Alt 2)
Chester Pool and Lawrence McNeal
Planning Director Tim Tietjens, GIS Manager Brian Sterling, Assistant
City Attorney Clark Askins, and Office Coordinator Peggy Lee
Chairman Rod Rothermel called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Elect a Vice -Chairman
Motion by Sherman Moore to nominate Charles Schoppe as Vice -Chairman.
Second by Nettie Warren. Motion carried.
Ayes: Rod Rothermel, Charles Schoppe, T.J. Walker, Sherman Moore, and Nettie Warren
Nays: None
3. Consider approval of November 12, 2013, meeting minutes.
With no objection presented, the November 12, 2013, minutes were approved as written.
4. A public hearing will be held to consider Variance Request #14-93000001 for the property
located at 327 Dwire, further described as Lots 1, 2, 17, & 18, Block 5, Bay Oaks Subdivision,
W.P. Harris Survey, Abstract 30, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. The applicants, Dennis and
Rebecca Dorsett, seek a variance to allow a fence to remain in the front yard setback 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 of the City of La Porte Code of Ordinances.
A. Staff Presentation
Planning Director Tim Tietjens presented the staff report for Variance Request #14-
93000001. The applicants, Dennis and Rebecca Dorsett, are requesting a variance to allow a
fence to remain in the front yard at 327 Dwire.
Public hearing notices were mailed to 24 property owners located within 200' of the subject
tract. The City received two responses favoring the request, one opposed, and one returned
undeliverable.
B. Applicant Presentation
Rebecca Dorsett, 327 Dwire Dr., was sworn in by Chairman Rothermel. Ms. Dorsett stated
she has a special needs son for whom physical and occupational needs setups are positioned
throughout the yard. Ms. Doresett explained how the fence provides security for her son.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Minutes of March 27, 2014
Page 2 of 3
She noted there are other similar existing fences in the area. To remove the fence would
cost $2,000.
C. Public Comments
There were no public comments.
D. Question and Answer
There were none.
Motion by Sherman Moore to approve Variance Request #14-93000001, allowing a fence to
remain within the front yard setback at 327 Dwire Dr.
Second by Charles Schoppe. Motion Carried.
Ayes: Rod Rothermel, Charles Schoppe, T.J. Walker, Sherman Moore, and Nettie Warren
Nays: None
Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read from Section 106-196 of the Code of Ordinances:
Appeals from the Board of Adjustment.
S. A public hearing will be held to consider Variance Request #14-93000002 for property
identified as Lots 25 through 30, Block 715, Town of La Porte, Johnson Hunter Survey, Abstract
No. 35, Harris County, Texas. The applicant, Analytic Stress Relieving, Inc., seeks a variance
from current building setback requirements contrary to the provisions of Section 106-622 of
the Code of Ordinances. The variance is being sought under the terms of Section 106-192 of
the City of La Porte Code of Ordinances.
A. Staff Presentation
Planning Director Tim Tietjens presented the staff report for Variance Request #14-
93000002. The applicant is requesting a variance to allow for an encroachment of 30 feet
into the 50 foot front setback and an encroachment of 20 feet into the required 30 foot side
setback in order to allow for construction of a proposed two-story office building. The City's
Code of Ordinances, Section 106-662, prohibits a building from being erected within the
required 50 foot front setback and within the 30 foot side yard setback in BI zoning districts.
Public hearing notices were mailed to ten property owners located within 200' of the
subject tract. The City received two responses in favor of the variance and none opposed.
B. Applicant Presentation
Bill Pruitt, Synergy Building Systems, was sworn in by Chairman Rothermel. Mr. Pruitt stated
he handled the demolition of the old building and is prepping the site for Analystic Stress's
new building. Mr. Pruitt requested favorable consideration of the variance request.
C. Public Comments
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Minutes of March 27, 2014
Page 3 of 3
There were no public comments.
D. Question and Answer
There were none.
Motion by T.J. Walker to approve Variance Request #14-93000002, allowing an encroachment of
30 feet into the 50 foot front setback and an encroachment of 20 feet into the required 30 foot
side setback for property described as Lots 25 through 30, Block 715, Town of La Porte, Johnson
Hunter Survey, Abstract No. 35, Harris County, Texas.
Second by Charles Schoppe. Motion carried.
Ayes: Rod Rothermel, Charles Schoppe, T.J. Walker, Sherman Moore, and Nettie Warren
Nays: None
Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read from Section 106-196 of the Code of Ordinances:
Appeals from the Board of Adjustment.
6. Administrative Reports
Planning Director Tim Tietjens announced the hiring of Eric Ensey as the new City Planner. Mr.
Tietjens thanked GIS Manager Brian Sterling and Office Coordinator Peggy Lee for filling in
during the City Planner vacancy.
7. Board comments on matters appearing on agenda or inquiry of staff regarding specific factual
information or existing policy.
Sherman Moore apologized for his absence at the last meeting as he had originally committed
to being at the meeting.
8. Adjourn
Motion by Sherman Moore to adjourn.
Second by Charles Schoppe. Chairman Rothermel adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
Re sp ctfully submitted,
bee
Pegg L
Secretary, Zoning Board of Adjustment p
Passed and Approved on vv� �U 2014.
Rod Rothermel
Chairman, Zoning Board of Adjustment