HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.boa.20211202
REGULAR MEETING ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT DECEMBER 2, 2021
Chairperson Sandler opened the meeting of the Aspen Board of Adjustment at 4:30 p.m.
Commissioners in attendance: Jim Farrey, Collin Frank, Ashley Feddersen, Andrew Sandler
Commissioners not in attendance: Tim Sack
Staff present:
Garrett Larimer, Senior Planner
Kate Johnson, Assistant City Attorney
Mike Sear, Deputy City Clerk
Staff Comments: none
Commissioner comments: none
Declaration of Conflicts of Interest: none
Public Hearing: 325 Park Ave. – Dimensional Variance and Associated Reviews
Staff Presentation: Garrett Larimer – Senior Planner
Mr. Larimer started by showing pictures of the existing conditions of the project including that it
is a single-family residence on a 2,692 square foot lot in the R-6 zone district. There is an
application to remodel and add an addition to the existing structure and it is asking for three land
use reviews, including a dimensional variance request, stream margin review and residential
design standards. He said the application complies with both the administrative stream margin
and design standards review criteria and is eligible for administrative approval on both. For
clarity and consistency, he is requesting that all three of the reviews get approved by BOA along
with one resolution as part of a combined review. He then showed a site plan for the proposed
addition including setback variations that are requested for the roof overhang (5’), structural
column (7’) and front entry (7’-7’5”) highlighting the existing front yard setback in red. He went
over the three review criteria to qualify for a dimensional variance.
Applicant Presentation: Flynn Stewart-Severy – F&M Architects
Mr. Stewart-Severy explained that the owner was a long-time resident of Snowmass Village and
recently moved to Aspen and purchased 325 Park Ave. He went over the existing conditions to
be a two-story two-bedroom single family residence with 8’ ceilings and high-quality interior
finishes but highlighted that most of the rooms are fairly undersized. He said the owner has little
interest in remodeling the interior and is only looking for the addition in order to give herself a
carport. He stated that the existing structure is 1530 square feet of living space. He then showed
and went over the front, rear, and side yard setbacks. Showing the existing floor plan, he
mentioned that neither of the two entrances comply with current design standards. He then
showed the proposed floor plan including the carport and living room addition to include a foyer.
There will also be a small vertical tower which will include some exterior storage and a small
window seat on the second floor. When showing a before and after photo and rendering, he noted
that the 226 square foot carport they are proposing is smaller than the 250 square feet the city
allows for garages. He also listed the proposed 138 sq ft living room addition, 188 sq ft
foyer/office addition and 25 sq ft storage / 25 sq ft window seat addition.
REGULAR MEETING ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT DECEMBER 2, 2021
Mr. Farrey asked about the distance between the back of her car while it’s parked in the carport
and Park Ave. Referencing the site plan Mr. Stewart-Severy showed that from the front of the
carport to the street was about 20 feet.
Mr. Larimer finished up by going over the three review criteria that are all met. (1) The variance
is generally consistent with the code. He stated that staff finds that the proposed design does still
achieve a reasonable buffer between the structure and the property line. He also noted that the
project was referred to the Parks and Engineering departments and they were supportive of the
design and the variance. (2) The variance is the minimum to allow reasonable use of the
property. (3) Enforcement of the dimensional requirements in the code would cause the owner
“unnecessary hardship as distinguished from mere inconvenience”. He said that staff
recommends the BOA approve the requested Land use Reviews, with the conditions.
Public Comment: none.
Board Discussion: Mr. Farrey summarized the issues for the dimensional variance request and
stream margin review.
Motion: Mr. Farrey motioned to approve Resolution #2 Series of 2021. Ms. Feddersen
seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Frank, yes; Ms. Feddersen, yes; Mr. Farrey, yes; Mr. Sandler, yes.
All in favor, motion passes.
OTHER BUSINESS: none
ADJOURN: Mr. Sandler motioned to adjourn. Mr. Farrey seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Frank,
yes; Ms. Feddersen, yes; Mr. Farrey, yes; Mr. Sandler, yes. All in favor, motion passes.
_____________________
Mike Sear, Deputy Clerk