SHOW LOW BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Minutes of the Special Meeting – Wednesday, September 26, 2007
1. Call to Order. Chairman Shannon called the meeting to order
at 3:06 PM
2. Roll Call.
Board Members
Present: Chairman Dick Shannon,
Vice-Chairman Lou Reynolds, Stephen Hair, Tom Jernigan. Frank Armanno was excused.
Staff
Present:
Guests Present:
Bob Saner, and others.
3. PUBLIC HEARING - Request for a Variance to Section 15-1-57(D)(5&6) of
the City Code submitted by Robert Stoner, on Property Located at 1101 S. 8th
Drive, Show Low, Arizona, A.P. No. 210-35-158.
(
A. Consideration of above request.
Mr. Tregaskes presented the following Staff
Summary Report:
Robert Stoner has filed a variance application
seeking relief from Show Low City Codes 15-1-57 (D)(5) & (D)(6) to allow
for the placement of a manufactured home within the required street side
setback. The applicant is requesting
this variance to allow for the replacement of a 1972 mobile home with a newer
manufactured home at
The subject property is located within the
The existing home is run down and has
reached the end of its projected lifespan and is classified as a nonconforming
structure. The applicant would like to
replace this home with a newer model.
City code states, “Should a nonconforming structure or
nonconforming portion of a structure be destroyed by fire, explosion, collapse,
act of God, or act of public enemy, it may be repaired, replaced, or
reconstructed within its original footprint or to a greater degree of
conformity.”
Section 15-1-35(E)(2) outlines the following
required criteria for granting a variance:
1.
There are special circumstances or conditions
applicable to the property including its size, shape, topography, location, or
surroundings which were not self imposed by the owner;
2.
Due to the special circumstances, the strict
application of the Zoning Ordinance would deprive the owner of the property of
privileges enjoyed by other properties in the same classification in the same
zoning district;
3.
The variance is the minimum necessary to alleviate
the property hardship;
4.
Granting the variance will not have a detrimental
effect on the property, adjoining property, the surrounding neighborhood, or
the City in general;
5.
In granting the variance, the board shall impose
such conditions and safeguards as are appropriate to ensure that the purpose
and intent of this Section will be fulfilled.
The Board of Adjustment may:
1. Grant the Variance. The Board determines a special circumstance or property hardship is applicable to the property which is not self-imposed by the owner or applicant. The Board may impose conditions on the granting of the variance to ensure the purpose and intent of the Ordinance is met. If the Board grants the Variance, the motion should include the justification for doing so.
2. Deny the Variance on the basis that there are no special circumstances applicable to the property creating a hardship that deprives the property from complying with the Ordinance.
The size of the current mobile home is 12’ X 60’, including the tongue.
Presentation by the Applicant.
Teresa Holladay, daughter of Mr. Stoner and sister-in-law of the current resident of the mobile, came forward to speak and was sworn in by the Chairman. She stated that her father is original owner of the property. The current mobile is approximately 35 years old. There was significant damage cause by a tree falling onto the mobile in the past. Repairs were completed, but the mobile was not completely restored. Her brother died in April. His small accident policy has allowed this opportunity to purchase a replacement home.
The square footage of the current home is currently 77% out of compliance with the city setback requirements. This new mobile would be approximately 7% out of compliance, with dimensions of 28’ X 40’. She also showed the Board a copy of a petition, signed by 27 neighbors, who support this variance request.
Ms. Holladay felt the variance met the criteria of a variance on several issues. This property presented special circumstances related to the size of the property. It does deprive the owner of the property normal property privileges. In seeking a minimum violation of the current zoning requirements, they do not believe there is a detriment to the request. The new home, a 1997 manufactured home, would be an improvement to the look of the property. Mr. Stoner would purchase the home and then deed it to his daughter-in-law.
Board Member Hair confirmed the estimated 77% out of compliance. The mobile was placed on the property prior to the 1976 zoning.
Ms. Anita Branch,
Board Member Jernigan asked if all adjacent property owners had signed the petition. The current resident, Dee, stated that there were a few people who had not answered the door when she contacted neighbors, but she thought approximately 90% of the neighbors had been reached and had signed the petition.
Vice-Chairman Reynolds asked if there was anyone present who was in opposition to the variance request. No one in the audience indicated an opposition.
Mr. Robert Stoner noted that the property map the Board was looking at was drawn up by a surveyor. If he can better center the home on the property, it might be as much as 11% out of compliance.
Vice-Chairman Reynolds asked about the location of the gas line on the property. Mr. Stoner stated that the meter was placed on the property line adjacent to the northeast corner of the house. Mr. Reynolds asked about safety issues with the city and the gas line. Mr. Tregaskes stated that the gas company made that decision. They usually placed the meter on the property line. It would not be necessary to contact the gas company. Line placement would be determined when the application was filed for a new meter. Mr. Reynolds stated he was concerned about the street gas line being so close to the home. Mr. Stoner assured him that no part of the residence would be placed over the main gas line. In fact, the new unit would be further from the gas line than the old one. He thought the gas company would install the new line.
Board Member Hair reviewed the steps of the process. If the variance is granted, then Mr. Stoner gets a manufactured home permit with inspection required. Then he goes through the utilities process.
Board Member Jernigan asked if there were any other non-conforming properties in that subdivision that have variances. Mr. Tregaskes noted that there were other properties in violation, but they would be easier to bring into compliance. Discussion was held regarding different size mobile homes available on the market. Ms. Holladay stated that they had actually found something that was affordable to them and that they felt would be appropriate for the property. She felt that anything small enough to comply with the zoning would either be a 5th wheel or a small park model, and again, available money was a factor. Mr. Tregaskes noted that a 40’ X 16’ would be the maximum size, which is smaller than what is there now (700 sq. ft.)
Mr. Tregaskes stated that the code referenced is for non-conformance should the home be destroyed. In other words, if it burned down in a fire, they could legally replace the structure just as it is placed on the property now. The applicant wishes to replace this structure prior to destruction. The mobile has already endured a tree falling on it, it is 35 years old, the proposed replacement structure is 25 years newer and would be in a much greater degree of conformance. Ms. Holladay stated she thought the home could probably be condemned and they would be allowed to pull in another one just like it. Mr. Stoner thought the wiring was copper and the insulation was fiberglass. The replacement structure had insulation that was good to -42 degrees.
Board Member Hair
moved to grant the variance and give the city latitude regarding the centering
of the new structure. The proposed
replacement structure is 25 years newer, it definitely enhances the
neighborhood, there appears to be no detriment to the property or the City, and
it will come into a minimum of 66% greater compliance. Vice-Chairman Reynolds seconded the motion.
Vice-Chairman Reynolds wanted to go on record stating that the Board would not want any action they take today to be interpreted as permission for Mr. Stoner to go ahead and make a major investment and find that permits were not available.
The motion carried unanimously.
4. MINUTES:
A. Consideration of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Show Low Board of Adjustment Held on November 2, 2006.
Chairman Shannon asked if there were any questions on the minutes. Vice-Chairman Reynolds asked if Ms. Clark has followed through on her commitments. Mr. Tregaskes noted that the code enforcement officer has checked on a few complaints. The problems have been taken care of. There are no outstanding issues with Ms. Clark.
Chairman Shannon moved to accept the minutes as attached. Board Member Hair seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Adjournment. Chairman Shannon adjourned the meeting at 3:46 PM.
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ATTEST: |
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APPROVED: Dick Shannon, Chairman Date: _____________________ |