HomeMy WebLinkAbout10152009 ZBA DKT 2009-12 APPLICATION
City of West University Place APPLICATION TO THE
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE CITY OF WEST
UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS ("CITY")
Address of site: 3420 Albans
Legal description of the site: The South One Hundred feet (S.100') of Lot Three (3), in Block Ninety-One (91), of
Second Addition to West University Place, an addition in Harris County, Texas, according to the map of plat thereof,
recorded in Volume 538, Page 147 of the Deed Records of Harris County, Texas.
Applicant: David A. Novelli and Amy W. Novelli
Address: 5000 Holt, Bellaire, Texas 77401
Contact: David Novelli Phone: 713-806-1389 FAX. 713-664-7822 Email: davidenovelli.net
Decision or Action Requested (check one or more and provide requested data):
( ) Appeal: Hear and decide an appeal from an order, requirement, decision or determination made by
the Administrative Official.
• Is the official's action in writing? Yes; copy is attached. No, but the action appealed is as follows:
• When was the action taken? Note: Appeals must be filed within a reasonable time. Please explain any
delay below:
• Exact zoning ordinance section(s) involved:
• Grounds for appeal:
(X) Special Exception:
• Exact zoning ordinance section that authorizes the special exception: Table 7-5A Note
7 of appendix A of the City Code of Ordinances.
• Exact wording of special exception requested: Requesting to be allowed a curb cut
and driveway section up to 40' wide instead of the maximum 24' allowed as per
Table 7-5A.
( ) Variance:
• Exact zoning ordinance section from which a variance is requested:
• Exact wording of variance requested:
Other Data: Are there drawings or other data? ( )No ( X)Yes(list items here and attach them)
1. Narrative description of request
2. Site plans from approved homebuilding plans illustrating approved and requested
proposed changes
3. Photos of current property and explanation of proposed changes
4. Email from City of West U Urban Forester, Craig Koehl
5. Warranty Deed indicating homeownership of the property
6. Survey of property
Attached. The applicant has read,th.p State aqd City regulations attached.
Signature of applican ! f C t t: - DDate: f 0
For Staff Use only~Date filed: (1 Date heard: 0/ 0 Docket#:
Forth ZBA-102
Application to the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the
City of West University Place, Texas
3420 Albans
We are requesting a special exception to extend the curb cut and drive way for the home for 3420
Albans up to 40' instead of the maximum 24' allowed as per Table 7-5A. The home is built on a
corner lot and the curb cut is located on the Side Street of Sewanee, north of Albans.
Sewanee is a narrow street and parking on the street creates challenges for city residents entering
and leaving West University Place. Additionally, Sewanee serves as the frontal street for two of
our neighbors and beyond these two homes are two churches located at the corner of Sewanee
and Bissonnett. On occasion, Church activities force members to park along Sewanee, Albans
and other area streets.
The City originally approved a 10' parking pad for 3420 Albans adjacent to the house, but it is
feared construction of this pad might endanger the life of a large Ash tree. The design of the
house accommodates a two car garage which will be utilized for parking two of the homeowner's
three automobiles.
The special exception will allow the homeowner to retain existing driveway flatwork from the
previous home. If the entire original driveway is retained, it would result in a curb cut of
approximately 40'. This flatwork sits adjacent to an Ash tree and has been in this location since
the 70's. As a result of this long time frame, the Ash tree's roots have evolved to acquire their
nutrients from other locations. Building the originally approved parking pad would be on soil
which likely feeds the ash, thereby risking the tree's root system. Craig Koehl, West University
Place Urban Forester has indicated, "...leaving the existing drive section would have less of an
impact on the adjacent Green Ash tree than construction of the proposed 10' parking pad".
The special exception will allow the homeowner to abandon the originally approved parking pad
in favor of the existing driveway. By extending the curb cut, the driveway will also allow access
to the new garage which is located north from the previous garage. The drive will be suitable for
all three of the homeowner's automobiles, having two parked in the garage and one on the old
driveway.
By allowing the homeowner to park their third automobile in the driveway, the board will help
reduce congestion on the narrow street of Sewanee. Reducing parking on Sewanee will also
reduce the risk that Church members will park further into West University. Neighbors located
on Sewanee will also benefit because it will help beautify their homes and properties by reducing
street parking. Finally, it will help protect the adjacent Green Ash tree, by reducing the risk of
stress or disruption to its current root system.