10-22-2007 (Zoning Board of Adjustment) Minutes Wylie Zoning Board of
Adjustment
CITY OF WYLIE
Minutes
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, October 22, 2007 — 7:00 pm
Wylie Municipal Complex— Council Chambers
2000 Highway 78 North
CALL TO ORDER
Announce the presence of a Quorum.
Chairman Jeff Ellis called the meeting to order at 7:03PM. Those present were:
Chairman Mr. Jeff Ellis, Vice-Chair Ms. Linda Jourdan, Board Member Ms. Karyn
McGinnis, Board Member Mr. Layne LeBaron, and Board Member Ms. Marilyn
Herrera.
Staff members present were: Planning Director Renae 011ie, Assistant Planner
Jasen Haskins and Administrative Assistant Mary Bradley.
CONSENT ITEMS
1. Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes of the September
24, 2007 Meeting.
A motion was made by Board Member Herrera, and seconded by Vice-Chair
Jourdan, to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2007 meeting as
submitted. Motion carried 5 — 0.
Minutes October 22, 2007
Wylie Zoning Board of Adjustment
Page 1 of 6
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Hold a public hearing to consider and act upon a request by Mike Sferra
(City of Wylie) for a Variance to Section 5.5(a) Temporary Uses of the
Zoning Ordinance restricting a Temporary Use to a period of 90
days.(ZBA 2007-17).
Mr. Haskins stated that the subject property was created in September 2007 with
the platting of the Community Park Addition.
A portable building is the most fiscally responsible option to obtain the additional
office space needed to address current over crowding. Currently, the City of
Wylie has three portable buildings, one in front of the Public Works building, and
two behind the Municipal Complex. The current request will allow a portable
building located within the Community Park Addition.
The requested variance will allow a portable building for approximately three
years, which will allow time for the new municipal complex to be constructed and
completed.
Public comment forms were mailed to 83 property owners, and one response in
favor of the request was received.
Board Member Herrera stated that the report did not explain or expand on the
request.
Chairman Ellis opened the Public Hearing.
Vice-Chair Jourdan addressed the concern from the public comment form
regarding bright lights shining during the night. City of Wylie Public Service
Director, Mike Sferra, stated that no bright lights will be shining during the night,
however, there will be a porch light outside the building. The portable building
will be constructed similar to the existing buildings, which are located behind the
municipal complex and public works buildings.
Chairman Ellis closed the Public Hearing.
A motion was made by Board Member LeBaron, and seconded by Chairman
Ellis, to grant the variance to Section 5.5(a) Temporary Uses of the Zoning
Ordinance restricting a Temporary Use to a period of 90 days to three years.
Motion carried 5 — 0.
2. Hold a public hearing to consider and act upon a request by Sean and
Ashley Burt for a Variance to Section 2.5.4.3.(d) and (f) Development
Standards of the Zoning Ordinance requiring a five foot side yard setback
and the required five foot separation from other structures. (ZBA 2007-18).
Minutes October 22, 2007
Wylie Zoning Board of Adjustment
Page 2 of 6
Mr. Haskins stated that the applicant came before the Board in August 2007, for
the same request. The applicant requests a variance to the setback and building
separation requirements in order to maintain an existing accessory building. The
building is three inches from the main structure and three to six inches from the
side property line.
Although the request was denied August 27, 2007, the applicant was told a
reconsideration of the request was possible if they received a positive
recommendation from the Fire Marshal regarding the location of the accessory
building as it relates to fire safety. The Fire Marshal has submitted a note stating
that the accessory building does not pose a fire hazard.
Public comment forms were mailed to 31 property owners, and one response
was received in favor of the request.
Chairman Ellis opened the Public Hearing.
Mr. Sean Burt, 606 Andersonville, stated that the accessory building is painted
the same color as the trim along the main structure, which is green and white.
The Fire Marshal and the Fire Chief, both came out and looked inside the
building, and recommended not to store flammable items.
Chairman Ellis closed the Public Hearing.
A motion was made by Board Member LeBaron, and seconded by Board
Member McGinnis, to grant the variance to Section 2.5.4.3(d) and (f)
development standards of the Zoning Ordinance to reduce the side yard setback
from the required five feet to zero feet and reduce the five feet separation from
other structures to three inches. Motion carried 4 — 1, with Board Member
Herrera in opposition.
3. Hold a public hearing to consider and act upon a request by Melinda
Chadwick for a Variance to Section 2.5.4.b.6.a Development Standards
of the Zoning Ordinance limiting the height of accessory buildings to
fourteen feet. ZBA 2007-19).
Mr. Haskins stated that the subject property was created in December 1998 with
the platting of Phase II of Stoneridge Farms. It is located at 641 Rockspring
Drive.
The applicant requests a variance to the height limitations in order to build an
accessory building up to twenty-five feet in height. The requested variance, from
14 to 25 feet, represents a 56% increase in the height allowed by the ordinance.
A purpose of the accessory building ordinance is to contain the overall size of
uninhabited structures compared to the lot size and main structure.
Public comment forms were mailed to twelve property owners, and six responses
were received and all were in favor of the request.
Minutes October 22, 2007
Wylie Zoning Board of Adjustment
Page 3 of 6
Chairman Ellis opened the Public Hearing.
Mrs. Melinda Chadwick, applicant, 641 Rockspring Drive, stated that the reason
for the additional garage will store a thirty foot trailer, and a boat. The proposed
height is an outline and is not the actual height, but will match the roof pitch and
material from the main structure.
Vice Chair Jourdan asked if the travel trailer was 25 feet in height. Mrs.
Chadwick responded that the travel trailer was thirteen feet, with the a/c unit.
Board Member Herrera asked for the maximum square foot for an accessory
building. Ms. 011ie stated that the allowable size of an accessory building is
based on lot coverage and square footage of the main structure. Mr. Haskins
stated that the proposed building can be 1,720 square feet. The Zoning
Ordinance allows for two accessory buildings, however, if the applicant
constructs the proposed building at that size, no other accessory building can be
constructed. Ms. 011ie reminded the board members that they could approve the
request as submitted, deny the request or alter the height request as they deem
necessary.
Chairman Ellis closed the Public Hearing.
A motion was made by Board Member LeBaron, and seconded by Board
Member Jourdan, to grant the variance to section 2.5.4.b.6.a Development
Standards of the Zoning Ordinance limiting the height of the accessory buildings
to fourteen feet. Motion carried 5 — 0.
4. Hold a public hearing to consider and act upon a request by Francis
Campbell for a Variance to Section 4.3.F.1(a)(1) Architectural Features of
the Zoning Ordinance requiring a brick structure with at least 20% stone
on the front facade. (ZBA 2007-20).
Mr. Haskins stated that the applicant requests a variance to the requirement for a
brick structure with at least a 20% stone on the front facade. The property is
located at 400 Alanis Drive.
Currently, the roughly 5,000 square foot structure has brick on approximately
40% of the building with the remainder being constructed of wood siding. The
Zoning Ordinance requires that a building in a CR zoned district be 100% brick
with at least 20% stone on the front façade.
The applicant states that a hardship exists due to the structure being built without
a brick ledge around the entire building, which facilitates brick construction.
The subject property was annexed into the city in 1988 and has never been
platted. The property is currently vacant and has been for more than six months.
The surrounding area is either outside the city limits, zoned Agricultural or Single-
Family (SF10/24).
Minutes October 22, 2007
Wylie Zoning Board of Adjustment
Page 4 of 6
Eight public comment forms were mailed, and no comment forms were returned.
Chairman Ellis opened the Public Hearing.
Mrs. Frances Campbell, 6006 Pleasant Valley Road, applicant for subject
property, stated that a structural engineer came to the site and stated that there
is no feasible way to add brick to the building. Mrs. Campbell read the statement
from the structural engineer, Greg Wilson, "The foundation was not constructed
with a brick ledge, therefore brick can not be attached to the outside of the
structure, because it would not be properly supported."
Chairman Ellis asked Staff if adding brick ledge to non-conforming buildings, per
the requirement from the Zoning Ordinance, is that review based on individual
buildings. Ms. 011ie stated that based on conversations with City Engineer, as
well as another civil engineer, a brick ledge can be added; this was addressing
another project within the Regency Business Park. If adding a brick ledge varies
from building to building, was not discussed.
Mrs. Campbell submitted the letter from Mr. Greg Wilson, structural engineer, for
the Board Members and Staff to review. Chairman Ellis stated that the letter
does not address if a brick ledge can be added, and recommended having City
Engineer to address if a brick ledge can be added.
Chairman Ellis closed the Public Hearing.
A motion was made by Board Member LeBaron, and seconded by Board
Member Herrera, to grant the variance contingent upon approval from City
Engineer, to confirm that a brick ledge can not be added to the building without
compromising structure integrity. Motion carried 4 — 1, with Vice-Chair Jourdan
in opposition.
MISCELLEANOUS
Mr. Haskins stated that a proposed amendment for patio covers was considered
by the Planning and Zoning Commission; additional revisions were requested
and will be considered again on November 6, 2007, and considered by City
Council on December 13, 2007.
Ms. Bradley polled the Board Members for preference on when to have the
November meeting. All Board Members were in consensus to have the meeting
on November 26, 2007.
Minutes October 22, 2007
Wylie Zoning Board of Adjustment
Page 5 of 6
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Board Member LeBaron, and seconded by Board
Member Jourdan, with the consensus from all Board Members to adjourn the
meeting at 7:45PM.
Jeff Ellis, Chairman
ATTEST:
Mar*Br ley,Secretary
Minutes October 22, 2007
Wylie Zoning Board of Adjustment
Page 6 of 6