Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPackets - Board of Adjustment (44)       AGENDA ORO VALLEY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR SESSION February 23, 2021 ONLINE ZOOM MEETING Click link to join: https://orovalley.zoom.us/j/92369626431 To attend via phone only, dial 1-346-248-7799 then enter Meeting/Webinar ID: 923 6962 6431 The Town recently updated its Zoom capability to allow for increased public attendance and to better facilitate the Town’s virtual meetings. When you log in to the meeting, you will be added as an attendee. You will be able to address the Board during the “Call to Audience,” public hearing and public comment items on the agenda. If you wish to address the Board during those parts of the agenda, select “Raise your hand” from the Zoom controls and wait until you are called upon to speak by the Chair. Town staff will then unmute your microphone and camera. For additional information about the Town’s Zoom meetings, visit https://www.orovalleyaz.gov/Government/Departments/Town-Clerk/Zoom-meeting-attendance        REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 3:00 PM   CALL TO ORDER   ROLL CALL   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE   CALL TO AUDIENCE - at this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the Board on any issue not listed on today’s agenda. Pursuant to the Arizona open meeting law, individual Board members may ask Town staff to review the matter, ask that the matter be placed on a future agenda, or respond to criticism made by speakers. However, the Board may not discuss or take legal action on matters raised during "Call to Audience." In order to speak during "Call to Audience", please specify what you wish to discuss when completing the blue speaker card.   COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS   REGULAR SESSION AGENDA   1.WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER, JOSEPH AFFINATI      2.REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 31, 2020 SPECIAL SESSION MEETING MINUTES   3.PUBLIC HEARING: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A VARIANCE REQUEST TO INCREASE THE NORTHERN RESIDENTIAL LOT BOUNDARY WALL HEIGHT TO 8 FEET AT 1582 W COPPER RIDGE DR, CASE NUMBER 2100163   4.ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT CHAIR EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 24, 2021      5.ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT VICE CHAIR EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 24, 2021      ADJOURNMENT   POSTED: 2/16/2021 at 5:00 by pp When possible, a packet of agenda materials as listed above is available for public inspection at least 24 hours prior to the Board meeting in the Town Clerk's Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Town of Oro Valley complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If any person with a disability needs any type of accommodation, please notify the Town Clerk’s Office at least five days prior to the Board meeting at 229-4700. INSTRUCTIONS TO SPEAKERS Members of the public have the right to speak during any posted public hearing. However, those items not listed as a public hearing are for consideration and action by the Board during the course of their business meeting. Members of the public may be allowed to speak on these topics at the discretion of the Chair. In accordance with Amendment #2 of the Mayoral Proclamation of Emergency issued on March 27, 2020, the following restrictions have been placed on all public meetings until further notice: 1. In-person attendance by members of the public is prohibited. 2. Members of the public can either watch the public meeting online https://www.orovalleyaz.gov/town/departments/town-clerk/meetings-and-agendas or, if they would like to participate in the meeting (e.g. speak at Call to Audience or speak on a Regular Agenda item), they can attend the meeting and participate via the on-line meeting application Zoom, https://orovalley.zoom.us/j/92369626431, or may participate telephonically only by dialing 1-346-248-7799 then enter Meeting ID: 923 6962 6431, prior to or during the posted meeting. 3. If a member of the public would like to speak at either Call to Audience or on a Regular Agenda item, please "raise your hand" during the meeting when the chair announces that it is the appropriate time to do so. For those participating in the meeting through Zoom, place your cursor towards the bottom, middle of the page and look for the "Raise Hand" icon and click on it to "raise your hand" to speak. For those participating via phone only, press *9 to "raise your hand". 4. All members of the public who participate in the Zoom meeting either with video or telephonically will enter the meeting with microphones muted. For those participating via computer/tablet/phone device, you may choose whether to turn your video on or not. Those participating via computer/tablet/phone device can click the “raise your hand” button during the Call to the Public or Regular Agenda item, and the Chair will call on you in order. For those participating by phone, you can press *9, which will show the Chair that your hand is raised. When you are recognized at the meeting by the Chair, your microphone will be unmuted by a member of staff and you will have three minutes to speak before your microphone is again muted. 5. If a member of the public would like to submit written comments to the Board of Adjustment for their consideration prior to the meeting, please email those comments to jancona@orovalleyaz.gov no later than sixty minutes before the public meeting. Those comments will then be electronically distributed to the public body prior to the meeting. If you have any questions, please contact the Board's recording secretary at jancona@orovalleyaz.gov.    Board of Adjustment 2. Meeting Date:02/23/2021   Requested by: Bayer Vella, Community and Economic Development  Submitted By:Jeanna Ancona, Community and Economic Development Case Number: N/A SUBJECT: REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 31, 2020 SPECIAL SESSION MEETING MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: BACKGROUND OR DETAILED INFORMATION: N/A FISCAL IMPACT: N/A SUGGESTED MOTION: I MOVE to approve (approve with changes), the August 31, 2020 meeting minutes. Attachments 8-31-2020 Minutes  D R A F T MINUTES ORO VALLEY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT SPECIAL SESSION August 31, 2020 MEETING HELD VIA ZOOM            SPECIAL SESSION AT OR AFTER 3:00 PM   CALL TO ORDER Chair Dankwerth called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.   ROLL CALL Present: Helen Dankwerth, Chair Stephen Roach, Vice Chair Octavio Barcelo, Member Mary Murphy, Member Staff Present:Milini Simms, Principal Planner Joe Andrews, Chief Civil Deputy Attorney Attendees: Steve Solomon, Town Council Liaison PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Dankwerth recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Board and audience.   CALL TO AUDIENCE There were no speaker requests.   COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS Council Liaison Steve Solomon thanked Member Perkins for his service and stated that he looks forward to working with the new board member when selected.   SPECIAL SESSION AGENDA   1.REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 10, 2020 SPECIAL SESSION MEETING MINUTES       Motion by Member Mary Murphy, seconded by Vice Chair Stephen Roach to approve the August 10, 2020 meeting minutes as written.    A roll call vote was taken: Chair Dankwerth - Aye Vice Chair Roach - Aye Member Barcelo - Aye Member Murphy - Aye    Vote: 4 - 0 Carried   2.DISCUSSION REGARDING A ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND POTENTIAL APPROVAL OF BUILDING SETBACK REDUCTIONS       Senior Planner Hannah Oden provided a presentation that included the following: - Purpose - Background - Key Amendment Components - Proposed Amendment: Applicability and Allowances - Proposed Amendment: Standards - Proposed Amendment: Noticing Affected Property Owners - Proposed Amendment: Opposition - Proposed Amendment: Review and Appeal Process - Summary Discussion ensued among the Board and staff.   ADJOURNMENT    Motion by Member Octavio Barcelo, seconded by Member Mary Murphy to adjourn the meeting.    A roll call vote was taken: Chair Dankwerth - Aye Vice Chair Roach - Aye Member Barcelo - Aye Member Murphy - Aye    Vote: 4 - 0 Carried    Chair Dankwerth adjourned the meeting at 3:26 p.m.     I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular session of the Town of Oro Valley Board of Adjustment of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 31st day of August, 2020. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 1st day of September, 2020. ___________________________ Jeanna Ancona Senior Office Specialist    Board of Adjustment 3. Meeting Date:02/23/2021   Requested by: Bayer Vella, Community and Economic Development  Submitted By:Kyle Packer, Community and Economic Development Case Number: 2100163 SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A VARIANCE REQUEST TO INCREASE THE NORTHERN RESIDENTIAL LOT BOUNDARY WALL HEIGHT TO 8 FEET AT 1582 W COPPER RIDGE DR, CASE NUMBER 2100163 RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the request based on finding that the five criteria have been met. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The applicant is requesting a variance to increase the wall height from 6 ft. to 8 ft. on the north side of the lot, in the back yard of the home located at 1582 W Copper Ridge Dr. (Attachment 1). The subject property is located within an R1-7 zoning district and is limited to a 6 ft. wall height within setbacks. The subject property is lot 22 in the Copper Ridge II subdivision, as shown on the map to the right and outlined in blue. The adjacent homeowner to the north, 1588 W Copper Ridge Dr., recently installed a pool with a raised pool deck. The applicant is proposing to raise the shared common wall exclusively between the two back yards to offset the neighbors pool deck height increase to restore privacy. Staff recommends approval of the variance request determining that all five findings have been met as described in the following background and detailed information section.   BACKGROUND OR DETAILED INFORMATION: PROPERTY DETAILS:  The lot is located in the Copper Ridge II subdivision, developed in 1999 The property is 0.27 acres in size Existing house built in 2004 DISCUSSION: State Law and the Oro Valley Zoning Code requires the Board of Adjustment to determine that all of the following variance findings have been met in order to grant a variance. The required five findings are shown in italics below, followed by the applicant and staff comments regarding the findings. The applicant's complete responses are included in Attachment 1. 1. That there are special circumstances or conditions applying to the property strictly related to its size, shape, topography, location or surroundings which do not apply to other properties in the district. Existing building configuration shall be included only when constrained by the special circumstances or conditions of the property; APPLICANT COMMENT: Our current neighbors installed a pool which was accompanied by a significant grade change. The result was the loss of privacy we have known since construction of our home was completed in early 2004, when we paid for the common wall constructed on the property line with our neighbor. This was done because there was not adequate space to set back the wall from the property line as does exist with most of the properties in our community. STAFF COMMENT:  The surroundings possess a special circumstance that do not apply to other properties in the district: The neighbor's installation of a pool has come with a significant rise in the base elevation of the back yard to the immediate north (See Attachment 2 - Staff Photos). 2. That special circumstances or conditions as defined in subsection C.1 of this section were not created by a previous or current owner; APPLICANT COMMENT: The neighbors immediately north installed a pool which included a substantial rise in elevation in the grade of their lot. We did not create the circumstances associated with our request for a code variance. STAFF COMMENT: The applicant did not create the surrounding circumstance that necessitates a desire for parity in privacy. The neighbor installed a pool, which came with an approximate 1.5 ft. change in the base elevation of their back yard. The applicant wishes to offset this increase with a corresponding increase in the common wall height. 3. That the authorizing of the variance is necessary for the preservation of privileges and rights enjoyed by other properties of the same classification in the same zoning district; APPLICANT COMMENT: We tried other means of restoring the privacy lost. Landscaping was considered. SEE ATTACHMENT 1, EXHIBIT A – From our backyard we see adult sized people practically down to their waistline. On the neighbor’s pool deck adult sized people can see 100% of our backyard. Nothing remains private. SEE ATTACHMENT 1, EXHIBIT B - Our neighbors thought that trellises may solve the problem. Two problems: It could take years to create the screen, and our CC&Rs prohibit trellises taller than the wall. I also had three landscape designers review the situation all of which concluded it would take years to achieve a privacy screen. Trees, etc. would also extend over the neighbor’s side of the wall. And, there is insufficient space on our side of the wall for large, screening plants. It should be noted that our neighbors were told that planting vegetation with substantial root growth on their side of the wall would compromise the structural integrity of the wall and their pool. Not restoring our privacy will negatively impact the enjoyment and value of our property. STAFF COMMENT: The applicant seeks parity of privacy enjoyed by other properties in the same classification and zoning district.  In this unique case, a 6 ft. high wall does not afford the same level of protection as others in the district. 4. That any variance granted is subject to such conditions as will assure that the authorizing of the adjustment shall not constitute a grant of special privileges inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity and zone in which such property is located; APPLICANT COMMENT: Our request for a variance in no way grants us a special privilege. We desire to return to the privacy that is afforded to others in the neighborhood through their backyard walls. Many of our neighbor’s walls are not placed on the property lines. STAFF COMMENT: The granting of a variance will restore the parity of privacy that others within the same classification and zoning district are afforded. This right is namely 6 vertical ft. of view protection from adjacent properties within the established setback. 5. That the authorizing of the variance will not be materially detrimental to persons residing in the vicinity, to adjacent property, to the neighborhood or the public welfare in general. APPLICANT COMMENT: There will be no impact of this variance on surrounding properties. The only properties that will notice the increase in wall height are the two involved parties. Our neighbors have agreed to the wall height increase. SEE ATTACHMENT 1, EXHIBIT C - Properties to our East are screened by a row of mature Palo Verde trees, oleanders and their walls; their lot grades are significantly lower in elevation. SEE ATTACHMENT 1, EXHIBIT D - This is the wall on the property line where the increase in wall height from 6 ft. to 8 ft. will occur. It will be visible only to us and our neighbors. STAFF COMMENT:  The granting of this variance will have no detriment to adjacent properties, persons residing in the vicinity, the neighborhood, or the public. (See Attachment 2 - Staff Photos)  The applicant states the neighbor to the immediate north has agreed to the wall height adjustment Neighbors to the east are precluded from having line-of-sight of the wall Neighbors to the south are unaffected due to existing structures, landscaping trees, and a yard wall. Views from the street are unaffected due to landscaping PUBLIC PARTICIPATION :  Notice sent to all property owners within 300 feet of the subject properties. Notice posted on the property. Notice posted online at www.orovalleyaz.gov. Notice advertised in the Daily Territorial. FISCAL IMPACT: N/A SUGGESTED MOTION: I MOVE to approve this variance request to increase the northern residential lot boundary wall height to 8 feet  at 1582 W Copper Ridge Dr., based on the finding that the five criteria have been met. OR I MOVE to deny this variance request to increase the northern residential lot boundary wall height to 8 feet  at 1582 W Copper Ridge Dr., based on the finding that the following criteria have not been met:_____________________________. Attachments Attachment 1 - Applicant Submittal and Exhibits  Attachment 2 - Staff Photos  1 Cottrell Variance Request Narrative Answers to the Five Findings and Site Plan Our objective is to raise the current 6 ft masonry wall 2 ft to a total of 8 ft. The wall is a common privacy wall on the property line between 1582 and 1588 W Copper Ridge Drive. Zoning does not allow a wall taller than 6 ft to be placed on the lot line, or within setbacks. Our current neighbors installed a pool which was accompanied by a significant grade change. This has resulted in a serious loss of privacy to our property at 1582. The loss of enjoyment and value of our property must be restored. SEE EXHIBIT A – From our backyard we see adult sized people practically down to their waistline. On the neighbor’s pool deck adult sized people can see 100% of our backyard. Nothing remains private. With no idea that a zoning code limited a property line wall to 6 ft we proceeded with a permit application. I hired a licensed structural engineer to design the wall modification costing over $ 1000.00. We selected a contractor which will cost in round numbers $ 5000.00. There will be additional costs associated with matching our custom painting and some landscape repair. Findings: 1. That there are special circumstances or conditions applying to the property referred to in the application including its size, shape, topography, location or surroundings which do not apply to other properties in the district 2 Our current neighbors installed a pool which was accompanied by a significant grade change. The result was the loss of privacy we have known since construction of our home was completed in early 2004, when we paid for the common wall constructed on the property line with our neighbor. This was done because there was not adequate space to set back the wall from the property line as does exist with most of the properties in our community. 2. That special circumstances were not created by the owner or applicant. The neighbors at 1588 installed a pool which included a substantial rise in elevation in the grade of their lot. We did not create the circumstances associated with our request for a code variance. 3. That the authorizing of the variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights. We tried other means of restoring the privacy lost. Landscaping was considered. SEE EXHIBIT B - Our neighbors thought that trellises may solve the problem. Two problems: It could take years to create the screen, and our CC&Rs prohibit trellises taller than the wall. I also had three landscape designers review the situation all of which concluded it would take years to achieve a privacy screen. Trees, etc. would also extend over the neighbor’s side of the wall. And, there is insufficient space on our side of the wall for large, screening plants. It should be noted that our neighbors were told that planting vegetation with substantial root growth on their side of the wall would compromise the structural integrity of the wall and their pool. Not restoring our privacy will negatively impact the enjoyment and value of our property. 3 4. That any variance granted imposes such conditions as will assure that the authorizing of the adjustment shall not constitute a grant of special privileges inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity and zone in which such property is located. Our request for a variance in no way grants us a special privilege. We desire to return to the privacy that is afforded to others in the neighborhood through their backyard walls. Many of our neighbor’s walls are not placed on the property lines. 5. That the authorizing of the variance will not be materially detrimental to persons residing in the vicinity, to adjacent property, to the neighborhood or the public welfare in general. There will be no impact of this variance on surrounding properties. The only properties that will notice the increase in wall height are the two involved parties. Our neighbors have agreed to the wall height increase. SEE EXHIBITS C - Properties to our East are screened by a row of mature Palo Verde trees, oleanders and their walls; their lot grades are significantly lower in elevation. SEE EXHIBIT D - This is the wall on the property line where the increase in wall height from 6 ft to 8 ft will occur. It will be visible only to us and our neighbors. Site Plan: SEE EXHIBITS E and F - These are aerial views of the two properties. The orange marking is the wall segment to be heightened, approximately 35 ft in length.