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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Zoning Appeals (minutes) - 06/18/1986 BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS JUNE 18, 1986 PRESENT: Ronald Ames, Anne Hintz, Tom Kimberly, James Larson, Kevin McGee STAFF: Chuck Lamine, Associate Planner; Mary Jo Anderson, Recording Secretary Chairman McGee called the meeting to order. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The mintues of the May 20, 1986 meeting were moved for approval by Mr. Kimberly and seconded by Mr. Larson. Motion carried. I. 1234 POWERS STREET - Ronald J. Schettl Mr. Lamine explained that the applicant is requesting a variance to construct a detached garage on a corner lot with a 3 1/2 ft. side yard setback, a 22 1/2 ft. front yard setback, and a 3 1/2 ft. rear yard setback. The R -1B Single Family Residence District requires a 7 1/2 ft. side yard setback, a 60 ft. front yard setback, and a 25 ft. rear yard setback. He informed the Board that this item had been laid over from the June 4, 1986 meeting because there was no one present to address the item. Eugene Kimball, 1237 Powers, stated that when he looks down the street he does not want to look at a garage; it will decrease his property value by about $10,000. His property is on the corner and he didn't want them to build the garage and block off his view from Powers to Hazel. Discussion ensued on the placement of the garage. Staff and the Board cleared up the misunderstanding of the relationship to the front yard which is on Tennessee Avenue. The interested property owners seemed relieved that the 22 1/2 ft. front yard setback was not off of Powers, however, they argued that the property and the structure is in terrible shape and they did not feel that the applicant should be allowed to construct the garage. Their concern was with what the garage will be used for. Mr. Kimball stated that a single car garage would give them enough room. Their concern too is that the variance would allow other changes on the property. Staff and the Board assured the neighbors that the variance would only apply to the garage construction. Mr. Kimball stated that he would vote against it. Mr. Lamine stated that these are unusual circumstances in that the garage is going to be constructed on a corner lot. The house is not under consideration by the Board, only the garage. Mr. Kimball reiterated that it will detract from their property values. He suggested that they consider improving the house first. He did not understand why the Board might allow the applicant to build a garage in back of a little shack. Mr. Lamine suggested that if they had any complaints regarding the activity on the property that they should contact the correct City officials to correct those problems. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS JUNE 18, 1986 PAGE TWO The other property owners present to oppose the variance were Gretchen Johnson, 1302 Powers Street and Verna Wesenberg, 1301 Powers Street. Mr. Kimberly moved approval of the variance to construct a detached garage on a corner lot with a 3 1/2 ft. side yard setback, a 22 1/2 ft. front yard setback, and a 3 1/2 ft. rear yard setback. Motion seconded by Ms. Hintz. Motion carried 5 -0. With regard to findings of fact, Ms. Hintz stated that granting this variance will not confer any special privileges otherwise denied by this Ordinance to other buildings in this same district. The Board has addressed other corner lots which cannot provide the 60 ft. setback. It is for this reason that it is under review and it is likely that it will be changed. This has no special privileges that others would not have in similar circumstances with the particular difficulty of corner lots. In the State of Wisconsin to deny someone a garage is a difficulty and a hardship that is unfair. The size of the garage is considerably smaller than the size which is . regularly constructed in the City; 800 ft. is a standard two car garage which most of the homes do have in this neighborhood. The garage is set back considerably farther on Tennessee than is the house and is less obtrusive than some of the garages in the neighborhood. In no way does the construction of this garage harm the public safety, increase any opportunity for fire, or diminish or impair the property values of the neighborhood. II. 1620 COLUMBIA AVENUE - Gordon Dorow Mr. Lamine explained that the applicant is requesting a variance to construct a detached storage building with a 23 ft. front yard setback from Columbia Avenue, and a 7 1/2 ft. rear yard setback. The R -1B Single Family Residence District requires a 60 ft. minimum front yard setback and a 25 ft. minimum rear yard setback. This item was laid over from the June 4, 1986 meeting as a result of a 3 to 1 vote. Mr. Lamine informed the Board that he had received a letter from Dan Fritz, 1846 Sheridan Street, stating that they had no regrets in the construction of the detached storage building, and they feel that it will not detract from the neighborhood. Gordon Dorow, 1620 Columbia Avenue, stated that he is presently renting other storage space. He explained that he had lived in the country and has gotten rid of a lot of stuff. The garage he has is 22' x 22'. He indicated that he has talked to three of his neighbors and they felt that it would not interfere with any of them. He did not understand why it was turned down at the last meeting. Ms. Hintz replied that the reason had nothing to do with Mr. Dorow. She questioned why he could not build onto the attached garage which would leave him with some yard space. Mr. Dorow stated that it would be in front of the only tree he has in his yard. A representative for Mr. Dorow stated that he would have the extra expense for footings.