HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.boa.20021010CITY OF ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT October 10, 2002
Disclosure o£ Conflicts of Interest ............................................................................. 2
Case #02-05, Martino, 173 McSkimming Road ....................................................... 2
MINUTES ................................................................................................................. 4
CITY OF ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT October 10, 2002
Charles Paterson opened the City Of Aspen Board Of Adjustment meeting at 4:05
p.m. with Mark Hesselschwerdt, Greg Hughes, Rick Head, Howard DeLuca, Jim
Iglehart and Bill Murphy present. Staff in attendance: David Hoefer, Assistant
City Attorney; Sarah Oates, Zoning Officer, Jackie Lothian, Deputy City Clerk.
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
None.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Case #02-05, Martino, 173 McSkimming Road
Charles Paterson opened the public hearing for Case#02-05- Ema and Larry
Martino, 173 McSkimming Road. The applicant requested a 15-foot front yard
setback variance for the construction of a single-family residence. David Hoefer
stated that the notice was provided and the board had jurisdiction to proceed.
David Hoefer stated that for the record since there was a full board, the following
would be the voting members on this case: Paterson, Head, Iglehart, DeLuca and
Murphy; there had to be 4 positive votes in order for the variance to be granted.
Sarah Oates stated that staff recommended denial based upon the review that
standards #2 and #3 were not met; based upon topography requirements, which
were the issue of accessing from a private road that was the same as a public road.
Oates noted that the setbacks were not from property line but from the easements.
Scott Lindenau, representative for the applicant, stated this was a hardship because
this unimproved road serviced 3 houses, if they have to move the new house there
will be a hardship because of the loss of trees, other houses loosing views, drainage
issues and access problems. Lindenau said that the current house was a non-
conforming duplex with drainage problems. Lindenau stated that to push the
garage down would cause access problems and they would have to fill 14-16 feet
or use a bridge to get to the garage. Lindenau reiterated the loss of trees; drainage,
infill and road issues caused a hardship. Lindenau said that granting the variance
would not cause an undue special privilege.
David Hoefer reminded the board that it was a minimum variance that could be
granted. Hoefer asked how the applicant came up with 15-feet for the variance
request.
Rick Head stated that with respect to #4 there were easements and a 20-foot ditch.
Head said that utility easements were not unique to this property and that there was
no hardship.
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CITY OF ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT October 10~ 2002
Howard DeLuca asked for letters from the neighborhood. DeLuca said that
Lindeanu worried about the neighbors' views; he asked what v~ews would be
impacted if the house were lowered.
Mark Hesselschwcrdt asked if this prope~y were subject to the residential design
standards, Mark Hesselschwerdt said that this seems like the design could be
different to fit into the setbacks.
Lise Bodek, next-door neighbor, stated that the applicant never spoke to her; she
stated that the road was not in the right place. Bodek said that if the road were
moved then there would not be a problem. Lise Bodek said the new building
would not hurt the views; she said the lot was clear-cut before the Martinos bought
the house. Bodek stated that if the side of the hill was watered then the trees would
grow more. Bodek said that she can see from her kitchen window and that they
were making more out of the vegetation as a problem if cut down. Bodek said that
there was serious drainage that comes down between the 2 lots. Bodek mentioned
that this road could also serve the 5 lots owned by Jones. Lise Bodek stated that
she was against the variance. Bodek said that she also had planted evergreens,
which the tops were cut off but that was before the Martinos owned the property.
Lindenau's assistant said that the photos speak for themselves about the number of
trees on the property.
Howard DeLuca asked the number of parking spaces required. Sarah Oates replied
that 2 were required.
Rick Head said that after reviewing Scott Lindenau's hardships, they were all
subjective and aesthetic. Head questioned why Lindenan couldn't build without
going into setbacks when building a new house.
Bill Murphy stated that he was in agreement.
Mark Hesselschwerdt stated that this was definitely a tough design issue but it was
the nature of the lot and that with more imagination a good product could be
designed within the setback requirements.
Howard DeLuca agreed and said that it was an expense situation because there
were ways to mitigate for trees and drainage; the view situation could impact more
but there was no real practical difficulty.
Jim Iglehart agreed with Howard, Mark, Bill and Rick.
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CITY OF ASPEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT October 10, 2002
Charles Paterson disagreed with the rest of the board members because he said that
the placement of the house should be where the applicant requested. Paterson said
that it doesn't make sense to move the house down 15 feet because of loosing the
trees.
Greg Hughes agreed with Charles.
MOTION: Rick Head moved to approve the request for a 15-foot front
yard setback variance for the construction of a single-family residenCe
finding the review standards have been met. Seconded by Howard
DeLuca. Roll call vote: Murphy, no; Iglehart, no; DeLuca, no; Head,
no; Paterson, yes. DENIED 4-1.
MINUTES
MOTION: Rick Head moved to approve the minutes of September 5,
2002; seconded by Bill Murphy. APPROVED 5-0.
Sarah Oates stated that there would be a meeting next week on October 17th.
The board took a secret ballot vote for the chair and vice-chair. Rick Head was
elected chair and vice-chair was Charles Paterson.
The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
e Lothian,~ Deputy City Clerk
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