HomeMy WebLinkAbout11161977 ZBA Minutes'~~
REGULAR MEETLNG OF ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
NOVEMBER 16, 1977
The Zoning Board of Adjustment convened in regular session on Wednesday,
November 16, 197$, 7:30 p.m., with the following members present: Chairman
Richard Wilkins, presiding; members Billings, Commander, Doughty and Marshall.
Alternate members Burge and Cummings were also present.
It was ascertained that notice of meeting had been posted in the City Hall
three days before the meeting in accordance with provisions of Article 6252-17
U.A.T.C.S.
,~ Chairman Wilkins requested that the secretary read the Notice of Public Hearing.
~~.~ Motion by Mr. .Billings, seconded by Mr. Doughty, tha~t the Public Hearing be~~^^''
*~ opened to consider an application .docketed #77-9,~iled by Lester Thoede,'-~405 '
Plumb, for permission to enclose an existing front porch with glass.
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Voting Aye: Billings Voting No: None
Commander
Doughty
Marshall
Wilkins
The Chairman ascertained from the secretary that Notice of Public Hearing had
been published in The Houston Chronicle, on Saturday, October 29, 1977, and
that notice was mailed to all property owners within 200' radius of the property
on October 31, 1977,
Chairman Wilkins administered the Oath to Mrs.. Thoede, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Mus-
sellman and Building Inspector Wayne Perry.
Mrs. Thoede advised the Board that she and her family had. moved. into the house
located at 3405 Plumb a few months ago and that they desired to enclose an
existing screened porch. She presented several pictures which showed that the
main entrance to the house does not go through the porch and that a door from
a front bedroom opens onto the porch with a side door onto the driveway. .She
said she had been advised by Inspector Perry on applying for a permit that
such an enclosure would be in violation of the Zoning Ordinance inasmuch as the
porch was located outside the minimum setback lines. She stated she desired
this enclosure to utilize what is now only unused space, security reason and
to improve the appearance of the house and neighborhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Mussellman, 3329 Plumb, both stated they had no .objection
to the enclosure and that they felt it would improve not only the appearance
of the house but the whole neighborhood.
Mrs. Thoede presented a petition signed by residents of seventeen dwellings in
the 3300 and 3400 blocks of Plumb saying they had no objections to the enclosure
of the porch. A letter from Mrs.-Elmer L. Summers, 3422 Plumb, stating she had
no objection to the enclosure, was also submitted for the record.
Inspector Perry advised the Board that the application fora permit was denied
inasmuch as it .was against the Zoning Ordinance in that such ordinance permits
only open porches to extend not to exceed ten (10) feet into the front setback
lines. Mr. Perry stated that he had located stakes and measured the property and
that the front porch extends 3 ft. 3-1/2 inches into the front setback.
During questioning, it was determined that the roof line of the porch and the
main building are the same, that itwas built probably during the thirties, that
Mrs. Thoede planned to remove the east door onto the driveway and enclose that
side completely, and that the front line, including the porch, set back further
than some of the other residences in the block.
Motion by Mr. Billings, seconded by Mr. Doughty, that Public Hearing be closed.
Voting Aye: .Billings Voting No: None
Commander
Doughty
Marshall
Wilkins
Motion by Mr. Doughty, seconded by Mr. Commander, to opern re-hearing on applica-
tion of Ms. Elizabeth Willoughby, 6417 Westchester, docketed #77-8, for permission
to enclose an existing front porch with glass.
Voting Aye: Billings Voting No: None
Commander
Doughty
Marshall
Wilkins
Chairman Wilkins administered the Oath to Ms. Willoughby and Inspector Perry.
Ms. Willoughby presented the Board with a sketch showing the dimensions of the
porch she desires to enclose and a sketch showing the manner in which she de-
sires to enclose the porch with panels of smoked glass. She stated that en-
closing the porch would update the appearance of the house and the neighbor-
hood, provide a space fora number of plants, and that she had talked to her.
neibhbors and all had assured her they had no objection to the enclosure.•
Inspector Perry advised the Board that the application fora permit was denied
inasmuch as it was against the Zoning Ordinance in that such ordinance permits
only open porches to extend not to exceed ten (10) feet into the front setback
lines. Mr. Perry stated that the main wall of the building was located 3'3"
from the front property line; that the porch columns measured 22'5" from the
front property line; and that inasmuch as the lot was 150' in depth the front
setback line was 30', which would make the porch extend 7'7" into the front
setback.
When asked what hardship would be experienced if the application was. denied, Ms.
Willoughby stated that he plants had to all be placed in the garage for the
winter months and that financially they could not afford to make further addi-
tions to the house.
Motion by Mr. Doughty, .seconded by Mr. Commander, to close the re-hearing.
Voting Aye: Billings Voting No: None
Commander
Doughty
Marshall
Wilkins
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Members of the Board reviewed Mrs.-Thoede's application, docketed #77-8, discussing
the construction of the house in regard to the. roof line and foundations,. entrance
into the house, and location of porch making itunusable space under one roof.
Motion by Mr. Billings, seconded by Mr. Marshall, that application filed by Lester
Thoede, 3405 Plumb, docketed #77-9, for a variance to permit the enclosure with
glass of an existing porch, be approved.
Voting Aye: Billings Voting No: None
Commander
Doughty
Marshall
~ Wilkins
Members of the Board reviewed Ms. Willoughby's application, docketed #77-8, dis-
"'~ cussing the construction of the house in regard to the roof line and foundation,
location as an entry into the house, and depth the porch extends into the front
m setback.
Motion by Mr. Marshall,~~~~econded by Mr. Commander, fhat,,application from Ms.
Elizabeth Willoughby,n.K`417 Wetchester, docketed #77-8//for a variance to per-
mit enclosure with glass of an existing porch, denied at Public Hearing held
October 20, 1977 and re-heard on this date, be approved.
Voting Aye: Commander Voting No: Bi lings
Marshall Doughty
Wilkins
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Zohing Board of Adjustment on October 20,
1977 were approved as presented.
With no further business to come before the Board at this time, upon motion
duly made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Chairman
ATTEST:
Secretary