HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 BOA Staff Report 01.29.2007Exhibits (1/29/07)
Exhibit
Letter
(A to Z)
Exhibit
A
Proof of Mail Receipts
B
Proof of Publication
C
Garfield County Zoning Regulations of 1978, as amended (the Zoning Code)
D
Staff Memorandum
E
Application
F
Aspen Glen PUD Revised Zone District Text, Page 7, '/a Acre Residential Zone
District
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BOA 1-29-07 DP
Staff Report to the Board of Adjustment
Project Information and Staff Comments
REQUEST: Variance to increase height from the limitation of 25 feet required in the
Aspen Glen PUD % Acre Residential Zone District
APPLICANT / OWNER: Royal Quality Homes LLC
LOCATION: 0056 Brookie Drive, Carbondale (Aspen Glen PUD)
SITE DATA: 14,462 sq. ft. (0.332 Acres)
ACCESS: Brookie
EXISTING ZONING: PUD (Planned Unit Development)
1. Description of the Proposal
The applicant requests a variance from the maximum height limit of 25 feet. The proposal is
for a height variance of up to 26.5 feet, an increase of 1.5 feet. The applicant is proposing this
variance for the following reasons:
1. Promote drainage in order to protect Lot 4 and Lot 5 from a heavy rainfall event. The
Applicant has represented that the neighboring lots have increased the height of the
surrounding grade which could create drainage issues for the new home.
2. Promote the aesthetics of the street by allowing a similar alignment of the rooflines.
3. Accommodate a high ceiling volume within the home.
4. Accommodate a recessed walkout basement fronting the Roaring Fork River.
2. Applicable Variance Regulations
§2.02.09 Building Height: The distance, measured vertically, from the undisturbed or
natural ground surface at the mid -point between the front and rear walls of the
building to the top of a flat roof or mansard roof or to the mid -point between the
eave line and the peak of the gable, hip, shed or similar pitched roof.
§9.05.03 Action by the Board of Adiustment: After the proper forwarding of an
application for variance to the Board and where by reason of exceptional
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narrowness, shallowness or shape of the specific piece of property at the
time of enactment of this Resolution, OR by reason of exceptional
topographic conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional situation
or condition of such piece of property, the strict application of any regulation
enacted under this Resolution would result in peculiar and exceptional practical
difficulties to, or exceptional and undue hardship upon, the owner of such
property, the Board may authorize, upon the application relating to said
property, a variance from such strict application so as to relieve such difficulties
or hardship, provided, however:
(1) That the variance granted is the minimum necessary to alleviate such
practical difficulties or undue hardship upon the owner of said property;
Staff Comments: It appears that there are other solutions that would allow the Applicant to
utilize the property effectively without exceeding the height limitations of the applicable zone
district. The only practical difficulty presented by the Applicant is a potential issue with
drainage. Considering the slope of the lot toward the Roaring Fork River and potential
methods to divert storm water between the neighboring lots, staff feels that if managed
properly, drainage is not an issue encumbered upon this lot. According to David Koltz of
Schmueser Gordon Meyer, Inc., "Lot 5 (subject parcel) must be constructed in a manner that
directs drainage away from the residence to the Lot 4 side lot line. (This is the center of a 20'
drainage easement and an overflow swale must be maintained in case the drywell capacity is
exceeded)." Staff fails to see the connection, however, between an increase in building height
and issues relating to drainage. In addition, marketability issues discussed within the
application (i.e. high volume ceilings, aesthetics and recessed walk out basements) are not
within the purview of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended. To this
end, Staff feels there are no„ exceptional topographic conditions or other extraordinary and
exceptional situation or condition” existing on the property which would be exacerbated by
abiding by the height limitations as adopted within the Aspen Glen PUD. This requirement is
not met.
(2) That such relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the
public good and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of
the General Plan or this Resolution;
Staff Comments: Staff does not see any potential detriment to the public good. However,
please refer to §1.07 (Below) of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution for the intent of
buildings, structures, uses, lots, and lot coverage. Without decisive practical difficulties or
notable undue hardship, approval of this variance request will impair the intent of the Garfield
County Zoning Resolution. In addition, this would only apply if Staff or the BOA feels a
Variance is warranted. As Staff does not feel this Variance is warranted, this requirement is
not met.
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§1.07 APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS
These regulations shall apply to the entire unincorporated area of Garfield
County, Colorado. Except as hereinafter provided:
No building or structure shall be erected nor shall any existing building or
structure be moved, removed, altered or extended nor shall any open
space surrounding any building or structure be encroached upon or
reduced in any manner, except in conformity with the lot area, lot coverage,
floor area ratio, setback and height provisions hereinafter provided in the
Zone District Regulation for the district in which such land, building or
structure is located;
(3) That the circumstances found to constitute a hardship were not caused
by the applicant, are not due to or the result of general conditions in the
district, and cannot be practically corrected;
Staff Comments: The proposed variance is based on the Applicant's desire to accommodate
high volume ceilings, a recessed walk -out basement, and promote aesthetics. Drainage
issues can be addressed with proper engineering while at the same time not compromising
the regulations in place. To this end, Staff feels that a decisive hardship does not exist which
requires a variance from the Aspen Glen PUD height limitation of 25 feet. This requirement is
not met.
3. Suggested Findings: Staff finds the applicants request does not meet the intent of the
Garfield Zoning Resolution in respect to nonconforming uses. Additionally, the request
does not meet the criteria set forth for variances; and,
1. Proper public notice was provided as required for the hearing
before the Board of Adjustment.
2. The hearing before the Board of Adjustment was extensive and
complete, that all pertinent facts, matter and issue were
submitted and that all interested parties were heard at that
meeting.
3. For the above stated and other reasons, the proposed Variance
is not in the best interest of the order, prosperity and welfare of
the citizens of Garfield County.
4. That the application is not in conformance with the Garfield
County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended.
Staff Recommendation: Staff is recommending the Board of Adjustment DENY the
Applicant's request for a Variance from the maximum height limitation of 25 feet.
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EXHIBIT TO ASPEN CTRN RESOLUTION
REVISED ZONE DISTRICT TEXT
EXHIBIT
F
BOOK 835 ? CE33O
•OK 835 PMME337
5. 1/4 ACRE RESIDENTIAL ZONE DISTRICT
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS:
Single-family detached structures intended for individual lot ownership.
(a) Permitted Uses
Minimum Lot Size
Maximum Building Height
Minimum Front Yard if Abutting
County Road 109
Minimum Front Yard if Abutting
Public/Private Street
Minimum Lot Widths
Minimum Lot Depth
Maximum Floor Area Ratio
Minimum Rear Yard
Minimum Each Side Yard
(k) Corner Lot Minimum Side Yard
Abutting Public/Private Street
(1) Minimum Off Street Parking per DU
Single-family residential
plus accessory uses except
guest and/or caretaker's
quarters; home occupation
10,890 sq.ft.
25 ft.
50 ft. from ROW line
30 ft. from roadway
easement/ROW
75 ft. (at building setback)
120 ft.
.35
20 ft.
10 ft. or 1/2 height of
principal building
whichever is greater
15 ft. from roadway
easement/ROW
4 spaces
Cul-de-sac, pie shaped and flag lots may have a less than minimum
width measured at building setback, but no lot shall have less than
25 feet of width on public access right-of-way or easement.
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