HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.boa.20000413CITY OF ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APRIL 13, 2000
Charles Paterson opened the Board of Adjustment meeting at 4:00 with Rick Head,
David Scott, Jim Iglehart and Bill Murphy present. Howard DeLuca was excused.
City staff in attendance were Sarah Oates, Community Development; Jackie
Lothian, Deputy City Clerk.
COMMISSIONER, STAFF and PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jackie Lothian noted that Deanna Olsen stated that she chose not to serve as a
member on the Board of Adjustment.
MINUTES
MOTION: Jim Iglehart moved to approve the minutes from March 9,
2000, Case #00-01 – Racquet Club Condominiums, 1030 Matchless
Drive. Bill Murphy second. APPROVED 5-0.
DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Board Members disclosed no conflict of interest. Sarah Oates stated that she had a
conflict with the Large and Small Fries case and that Nick Lelack would present it.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING:
CASE #00-01 RACQUEST CLUB CONDOMINIUMS, 1040 MATCHLESS
Charles Paterson opened the continued public hearing for 1040 Matchless, Racquet
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Club Condominiums. Notice was provided at the March 9 meeting with the list of
mailing.
John Howard, Willow Creek Design Studio, provided a new drawing showing the
ways autos would have to have to turn around. They were already 6 inches less
than the required amount. He said there would be a 5-foot “dead space” if the rear
wall of the garages were built in that spot, it would create a trash collection
situation. If the garage designs were flipped then there would be less sun and more
of a need for cars warming up longer. He reviewed the reasons for granting these
variances.
John Howard said the sun exposure reduced ice build up and the garages were built
into the berm, which would reduce the mass. He said that the staff had said that
having a garage was not a necessary right, but he said that there was practical
difficulty with the garages sitting in any other place. He felt that the board could
find that the applicant had the right for these garages. John Howard added there
were no negative comments from staff or from public.
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CITY OF ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APRIL 13, 2000
Rick Head said that massing would occur in either location and would probably be
more of a problem for the residents by placing them where John Howard wanted
them placed. He said he could not find a practical difficulty and maybe the internal
could work but the parking lot could be moved back five feet. He said that he
would have been in favor of granting a minimum variance if the applicant came back
with a different plan.
Jim Iglehart stated that he had no problem with the side yard setback and thought
everyone should have a garage; he said that he was in favor of granting the
variances as designed. Iglehart noted that no one wrote or called to protest against
the proposal.
Bill Murphy said the garages were where they belonged and the fact that no
neighbors complained, was a positive for him.
David Schott said that he sided with Rick.
Charlie Paterson stated that he felt that the applicant had a good case and that it did
not make sense to move the garages. He noted the practical difficulties with the
turns, which would not be good. Paterson said that it wasn’t a dense area.
Rick Head asked why the placement was needed against the property line when
there was more room on the other side and that the garages could be moved. Head
noted that the board was to only grant a minimum variance. Head suggested
changing the setbacks on 2 of the garages, closest to the entrance of where the
garages would be built. David Schott noted that it was not built yet, so it would
have a little bit more landscaping with what Rick suggested.
Bobbie Carson, owner of Unit #4, asked for clarification on which units Rick was
talking about changing. Charlie Paterson clarified that they were the east side units
(Units 3 & 4). Bobbie Carson said there would be a problem with the other
neighbors, if the garages were moved. She stated that open space of 5’ would be
visually obtrusive. Bobbie Carson implored the board to approve the variances as
proposed.
Jackie Lothian stated that the City Attorney’s Office said that all the board members
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could vote, after reading the minutes from the March 9 meeting. Charlie Paterson
noted that four (4) positive votes were need for the variance to pass.
The board offered a compromise of moving 2 of the garages forward.
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CITY OF ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APRIL 13, 2000
Rick Head thanked Bobbie Carson for her passion, but garages were a luxury and
not a necessity.
David Schott said the garages could be moved back. Charlie Paterson said that he
would vote for the compromised variance.
John Howard stated that the massing would look larger, if the mass was moved
anywhere else and would reduce the apparent density by keeping it on the property
line. He reiterated that the current owners did not site the units original placement.
Rick Head said that it was not what he could consider; he could live with the
amended application but would not vote for it unless amended. Head explained to
John Howard that if there was not a compromise, the variances would not be
approved.
John Howard said that this would bring another large tree down. Head noted that he
did not think the garages came near the tree.
MOTION: Rick moved to approve the 4½ foot rear yard setback
variance on Lot 3, Units 1 & 2, a 14 foot side yard (west side) variance of
Lot 2, and a combined side yard setback variance of 15 feet on both Lots
2 & 3 (east side) to allow for the construction of 4 detached garages at
1040 Matchless Drive. David Scott second. Roll call vote : Iglehart, yes;
Murphy, yes; Head, yes; Schott, yes; Paterson, yes. APPROVED 5-0.
John Howard asked if he could come back with the variance request. Sarah Oates
explained that the same variances could not be applied for again. Rick Head stated
that there was a quorum tonight.
PUBLIC HEARING:
CASE #00-03 609 WEST BLEEKER – LARGE and SMALL FRIES
Charles opened the public hearing for Large and small fries. Notice was received.
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CITY OF ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APRIL 13, 2000
Nick Lelack explained that the applicant, Small and Large Fries LLC represented by
Mary Holley, requested a variance from the rear and side yard setback dimensional
requirements in order to construct a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
which will be deed restricted to mandatory occupancy. A portion of the proposed
detached ADU would encroach into the required rear yard setback for accessory
buildings, requiring a four (4) foot rear yard setback variance. The proposed ADU
also requires a four (4) foot side yard setback variance for the west side yard
setback. The vacant lot was located in the R-6 zone district and part of a Historic
Landmark Lot Split, which created two (2) 4500 square foot lots.
The variances were requested to preserve the 22” diameter spruce tree located on
the southern portion of the lot, while at the same time provide an ADU that was
detached and deed restricted to mandatory occupancy. Both of these objectives
were consistent with the purposes, goals, objectives, and policies of the Aspen Area
Community Plan.
Ernie Fyrwald said that there were 0 lot lines in that area and the livability would be
much better with this variance.
Alan Schwartz stated that he represents Ellen & Allen Fells, the next door owners
and neighbors. The Fells said that they felt this was the best solution for an above
ground ADU and the Fells would support the project. Schwartz stated that this was
a dense lot with the lot split and 3 units on it with a large tree. He noted that the
neighbors were not opposed.
Mary Holley said that this parcel was unique because of the sizeable tree in the
southern portion of the lot and the historic lot split created the small lot size. The
size and location of the tree created a practical difficulty. Holley provided photos of
the lots. She said that Ernie Fyrwald wanted to build a good above grade ADU.
She said the building would be on piers not to disturb the roots of the tree. Holley
stated that Ernie entered into a 3-year tree maintenance program for the trees.
Rick Head stated that he just loved these kinds of variances; he said that he was
very proud to rule on it favorably. Jim Iglehart stated that if Rick was happy he was
happy. Bill Murphy said the neighbors were addressed. Charlie Paterson said that
staff recommended approval.
Lelack stated that staff recommended approval of the variance request finding that
the Review Standards had been satisfied.
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CITY OF ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APRIL 13, 2000
RECOMMENDED MOTION : Rick Head moved to approve the
request for a 4 foot rear yard setback variance (allowing for a 1 foot
setback) and a 4 foot side yard setback variance (allowing for a 1 foot
setback) on the west side to permit construction of a detached Accessory
Dwelling Unit which will be deed restricted to mandatory occupancy at
609 West Bleeker Street, finding that the review standards have been
met.” Jim Iglehart second. APPROVED 5-0.
Sarah Oates said that there was an appeal of a previous Planning and Zoning review
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that will come before the Board of Adjustment on May 4 . Charlie Paterson will
not be able to attend.
Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Jackie Lothian, Deputy City Clerk
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CITY OF ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APRIL 13, 2000
COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS ................................ ................................ ................. 1
MINUTES ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 1
DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST ................................ ................................ ................................ 1
CASE #00-01 RACQUEST CLUB CONDOMINIUMS, 1040 MATCHLESS ................................ ................... 1
CASE #00-03 609 WEST BLEEKER – LARGE AND SMALL FRIES ................................ ............................. 3
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