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City of
� WheatRiidge
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Minutes of Meeting
April 26, 2018
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair BANGHART at 7:04 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
2. ROLL CALL
Board Members Present:
3.
4.
Alternates Present:
Board Members Absent:
Staff Members Present:
PUBLIC FORUM
No one wished to speak at this time.
PUBLIC HEARING
A. Case No.WA-18-02
Thomas Abbott
Sally Banghart
Janet Bell
Dan Bradford
Paul Hovland
David Kuntz
Betty Jo Page
Larry Richmond
Kenneth Johnstone, Community Development
Director
Scott Cutler, Planner I
Tammy Odean, Recording Secretary
The case was presented by Scott Cutler. He entered the contents of the case file and
packet materials, the zoning ordinance and the digital presentation into the record.
He stated all appropriate notification and posting requirements have been met and
advised the board there was jurisdiction to hear the case. He reviewed the
presentation and staff report.
Board of Adjustment Minutes April 26, 2018
The applicant is requesting approval of (A) request for approval of a 24 -foot
(96%) variance to the 25 -foot side yard setback requirement for yards which
abut a public street in the Residential -Two (R-2) zone district, and (B) a 120
square foot (100%) variance to the 120 square foot limit for a metal accessory
building in the residential zone districts located at 6001 West 32nd Avenue.
Staff recommends denial of this variance, not having found the application in
compliance with the majority of the review criteria.
Board Member PAGE asked how the motion is handled with both A and B in it
together.
Mr. Cutler explained that the Board has to decide on an approval motion, the template
is based on staffs recommendation for denial. He added the two variance requests
can be split and voted on separately.
Board Member HOVLAND asked if a curb cut is allowed by the City on 32nd Avenue
and wondered if it is worth pursuing.
Mr. Cutler said a petition would have to be applied for through the Public Works
Department for a curb cut.
Board Member PAGE asked what the setback is for the east side of the property.
Mr. Cutler said that the setbacks for any property that abuts a public street in the R-2
zone district is 25 feet. He explained this house sits right on the setback and the
measurement is taken from the City right-of-way (ROW) which is already 12 feet
back from the street. So the structure in question currently sits in the setback.
Board Member BANGHART asked if the setback requirement was in effect when the
house was built.
Mr. Cutler agreed it was not because the house was built in 1922; well before the City
incorporated in 1969.
Board Member PAGE asked if the house and sheds are compliant with the setbacks.
Mr. Cutler said the house does meet current development standards except for one
small corner, and the sheds he is not sure about because he is not aware of when they
were built.
Board Member PAGE asked what the policy is about temporary structures. She also
asked if the structure in question is permanent or temporary.
Mr. Cutler explained there are no formal regulations on temporary structures. There
is a formal temporary building permit process, but that is more for commercial
properties. He explained it is up to the property owner to make sure setback
requirements are followed. Mr. Cutler added that the property owner received a stop
Board of Adjustment Minutes April 26, 2018 2
work order from the Building Department because it is considered a permanent
structure due to the metal siding being added which requires a full building permit
review.
Mr. Johnstone added the default is that this is a permanent structure even if it could
be movable. This structure has a steel frame and siding; if approved it will need to be
secured to the ground due to wind/lift concerns and inspected. He explained that tarp
like structures with soft siding would not be considered permanent.
Board Member BELL felt the color is a nice blending compliment next to the
vegetation.
Board Member HOVLAND asked if the structure is completely enclosed.
Mr. Cutler said yes it is completely enclosed with a door on either end for a car to
park in the drive through.
Mala Sandoval, Applicant
6001 W 32nd Avenue
Ms. Sandoval gave a brief explanation about putting up the temporary structure when
she bought the house and putting a tarp on it so she could preserve her Ford
Thunderbird. She explained that she had replaced the tarp several times and was tired
of doing so and decided to make the covering a green steel. She did not realize she
needed a permit and felt the metal was improving her property. She explained she
would like this variance to protect her car from another hailstorm and she does not
feel there is another place on her property to relocate the structure.
Board Member PAGE asked if there was any discussion about the siding when she
called the City.
Ms. Sandoval said no, she just wanted to know if she needed a permit for a temporary
structure. She also mentioned it is secure to the ground.
Board Member KUNTZ asked if she would be open to a structure more
architecturally pleasing if the setback variance was approved.
Ms. Sandoval said yes, if it would be something that would cover the metal. She
explained the tarp does not protect the car. She added that she does not have a lot of
income since her husband passed away.
Board Member BRADFORD asked if Ms. Sandoval is aware that if the Board
approves the variance there could still be a complication with the Building Division.
Ms. Sandoval said she was not aware of that.
Board Member ABBOTT and PAGE asked who put the metal siding on the structure.
Board of Adjustment Minutes April 26, 2018 3
Ms. Sandoval said her friends helped her.
The Board Members then asked if she would be willing to move the structure to
another spot on the property, for example to the west of the shed and north of the
house.
Ms. Sandoval explained that the ground is not even and there is not much room
behind the fence just north of the house. She said she will have to do some measuring
and also said she is not willing to take down the shed.
Board Member RICHMOND wanted to know how the metal is attached to the frame
of the structure.
Ms. Sandoval said that sheet metal screws were used to secure the metal to the frame.
Mr. Johnstone added to Member BRADFORD'S statement with regards to the
Building Department. He stated that Ms. Sandoval will have to get a permit if the
variance is approved and the inspectors will make sure the structure is built to code.
David Settles, Resident
6017 West 32"d Avenue
Mr. Settles explained he has seen many of changes in the City of Wheat Ridge over
the last few years and that Ms. Sandoval's house does not have many options for
parking. He explained he has no complaints with the carport.
Board Member Hovland asked about the development to the west of Ms. Sandoval's
house and if it used to be one property. He wondered if she created the hardship of no
parking by subdividing the property after she moved there.
Ms. Sandoval said she believes it was one property some time ago because there were
issues with the sewer lines on both properties, but she did not subdivide it.
Ward Hart, Resident
3210 Ingalls Street
Mr. Hart stated he is here to support Ms. Sandoval, he does not think the structure is
an eye sore and she should be able to keep it.
Board Member ABBOTT asked if the decision of the Board runs with the land. He
wondered if the variance is approved, can the next property owner have the same
setbacks.
Mr. Johnstone explained that a future owner could keep the structure, and the
variance runs with the structure. They could not build another structure with this
approved variance, if approved.
Board of Adjustment Minutes April 26, 2018 4
There was more discussion about temporary versus permanent structures and Mr.
Johnstone confirmed that a structure with a tarp over it is considered temporary and a
structure with metal siding is considered permanent.
Upon a motion by Member KUNTZ and seconded by Member BELL, the
following motion was stated:
WHEREAS, application Case No. WA -18-02 A was not eligible for
administrative review; and
WHEREAS, the property has been posted the fifteen days required by law and
in recognition that there were no protests registered against it; and
WHEREAS, the relief applied for may be granted without detriment to the
public welfare and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the
regulations governing the City of Wheat Ridge; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Board of Adjustment application
Case No. WA -18-02 A be, and hereby is, APPROVED
TYPE OF VARIANCE: Request for approval of a 24 -foot (96%) variance to the
25 -foot side yard setback requirement for yards which abut a public street in the
Residential -Two (R-2) zone district.
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
1. The right -of way (ROW) extends into the property giving the appearance
of a greater setback.
2. The property does not have room elsewhere for a carport.
Motion failed 5-3 (lack of a super majority) with Board Members BRADFORD,
RICHMOND and PAGE voting against.
Upon a motion by Member HOVLAND and seconded by Member BELL, the
following motion was stated:
WHEREAS, application Case No. WA -18-02 B was not eligible for
administrative review; and
WHEREAS, the property has been posted the fifteen days required by law and
in recognition that there were no protests registered against it; and
WHEREAS, the relief applied for may be granted without detriment to the
public welfare and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the
regulations governing the City of Wheat Ridge; and
Board of Adjustment Minutes April 26, 2018 5
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Board of Adjustment application
Case No. WA -18-02 B be, and hereby is, APPROVED
TYPE OF VARIANCE: Request for approval of a 120 -square foot (100%)
variance from the 120 -square foot limit for metal accessory buildings in
residential zone districts.
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
1. The granting of the variance would not be detrimental to the public
welfare or injurious to other property or improvements in the
neighborhood.
2. The unusual circumstances or conditions necessitating the variance
request are present in the neighborhood and are not unique to the
property.
3. There are 8 letters in support of the variance.
4. The horizontal orientation of the structural ribbing gives the general
appearance of a textured metal material, therefore, it is interpreted by
the Board of Adjustment as generally meeting the requirements for a
metal material over the 120 sq. ft. maximum requirement for a metal
structure.
WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. The structure, if moved, be permitted to ensure the structural integrity.
Motion failed 5-3 (lack of a super majority) with Board Members BRADFORD,
RICHMOND and PAGE voting against.
5. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING
Chair BANGHART closed the public hearing.
6. OLD BUSINESS
Board Member BELL was pleased with the head phones and said she could hear the
meeting exceptionally well.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of Minutes — March 22, 2018
It was moved by Board Member PAGE and seconded by Board Member BELL to
approve the minutes as written. The motion carries 5-0-3 with Board Member
ABBOTT, BANGHART and HOVLAND abstaining.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Board of Adjustment Minutes April 26, 2018 6
It was moved by Board Member Page and seconded by Board Member HOVLAND
to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m.
Thomas Abbott, Vice Chair
Tammy Ode , ecording Secretary
Board of Adjustment Minutes April 26, 2018 7