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1998-05-07 ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1998, AT 7:00 PM, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS Chairman Calvin Collier, Jr. Board Member Marvin Elam Board Member Clyde Duplissey Alternate Board Member Harold Slagle Chief Building Official Gene Tumlinson Secretary Mona Ann Phipps CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes were approved as written. NEW BUSINESS CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION OF A TIME LIMITATION ON PRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD A discussion ensued regarding the length of time that should be allowed for presentations made to the Board by variance applicants. Board Member Clyde Duplissey made a motion to limit presentations to the Board to a maximum of ten (10) minutes, effective at the close of this meeting. Seconded by Alternate Board Member Harold Slagle. Motion passed 4 to 0. Chairman Calvin Collier, Jr. explained to the variance applicants that there are five regular Board members. Four positive votes are required for a motion to pass. However, tonight, there are only four Board members present. Therefore, they have the option to postpone their variance request or they may proceed with their request tonight. 1 V98-7, REQUEST OF PHIL CONWAY OF U.S. HOME CORPORATION FOR A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 22-17(5), FOR 552 SQ FT OVER THE ALLOWED 120 SQ VT SIGNAGE, AT 10961 HIGHWAY 288 Brian Smith, Robert McDonald and Charles Lindsay of U.S. Home Corporation were present for the meeting. Mr. Lindsay explained that they are requesting more sign width, not sign height. He explained that they are opening "The Lakes of Countryplace". He added that the retirement section is coming to a close. He stated that they understand the sign ordinance very well, however, the size and scale of Highway 288 and the sign location, approximately 200' off of Highway 288, provide the need for a larger sign. Considering all of these factors, the architect has designed the sign to fit the scale of the location. Mr. Lindsay added that the existing gazebo built in front of the project is built to a larger scale so that it appears normal size from Highway 288. Alternate Board Member Harold Slagle asked how long this sign would be needed. Robert McDonald stated that their business plan is to finalize this project in less than five (5) years. Alternate Board Member Harold Slagle asked who would be responsible for maintenance of the sign. Mr. Lindsay stated that U.S. Home Corporation would be responsible for the sign maintenance. Board Member Marvin Elam asked if the retirement section of Countryplace built out in the time frame projected. Mr. Elam stated that he is not sure that a larger sign will help the build out of a subdivision. Mr. McDonald added that the opportunity to sale a home may be lost because the project is not noticed. so- Board Chairman Calvin Collier, Jr., asked if U.S. Homes has contacted the residents regarding the size of the sign. Mr. Lindsay replied that they have not spoken to the residents about the size of the sign. He added that they are only asking for this one sign to help customers from the South notice the project. Board Member Clyde Duplissey questioned whether this was a subdivision sign or what ordinance we were working under. A discussion ensued regarding the section of the ordinance that was being used. Board Member Clyde Duplissey asked if realtors sell a lot of homes for U.S. Homes. Mr. McDonald replied that realtors do not sell many of their homes. He added that one of the Board members stated that this project is the "Best Kept Secret", but they want to share the secret. Chief Building Official Gene Tumlinson stated that this is an off-premise directional sign. He added that it is not considered on-site because the sign is placed in the reserve. Brian Smith stated that the property is platted as a Reserve section of Countryplace. They feel that it is an on-site sign. 2 Board Member Clyde Duplissey made a motion, seconded by Marvin Elam, to deny V98-7. Motion passed 4 to 0. V98-12, REQUEST OF JEFFREY S. SMITH, OWNER, FOR A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 6.4.2.(b), FOR A 5.8' REAR YARD ENCROACHMENT AT 4001 HAZELWOOD, LOT 56, BLOCK 4 OF WESTWOOD VILLAGE Board Chairman Calvin Collier, Jr. reminded Mr. Smith that a variance request requires four (4) positive votes to be approved. Mr. Smith stated that he would like to proceed with his request. A discussion ensued regarding access to utilities in the utility easement. Mr. Smith stated that the slab is existing, he is only covering the slab. Board Member Clyde Duplissey asked Mr. Smith if this patio cover had been approved by the Homeowner's Association. Mr. Smith stated that it had been approved on May 4, however he hasn't received the letter yet. A discussion ensued regarding enclosing the patio. Chief Building Official Gene Tumlinson stated that the variance would allow this structure to be an opened patio or an enclosed room. op- Board Member Marvin Elam made a motion, seconded by Alternate Board Member Harold Slagle, to approve V98-12. Mo:ion passed 4 to 0. V98-13, REQUEST OF GREG DUGAT OF F.W. GARTNER COMPANY, FOR A VARIANCE FROM TABLE VII "C" TO ALLOW 180 SQ FT OVER THE ALLOWED 120 SQ FT OF SIGNAGE, AT 1231 BROADWAY (F.W. GARTNER COMPANY) Board Chairman Calvin Collier, Jr., stated again that four (4) positive votes were required to approve a variance request. Mr. Dugat stated that he wished to proceed with his request. Mr. Dugat explained that this store was designed for a residential area. He added that other stores are designed for more industrial or commercial areas. He explained that the reason for the variance, is the fact that the frontage of their building is only sixty (60) feet wide. He added, even though the building is as large as it is, the frontage only allows one hundred twenty (120) square foot of sign. Mr. Dugat stated that the building was down scaled to fit into the area, therefore, it has more depth than width. He explained that the proposed placement of the signs keeps the front from looking crowded. He added that he feels the size of the building and the size of the signs are very much in retrospect. Mr. Dugat stated that the signs will dress up the building and will not make it at all unappealing. He explained that two of their stores in other cities have received awards from the cities after they were complete. 3 A discussion ensued regarding whether the awning is a structural part of the building and whether it should be included in the frontage of the building. Mr. Dugat and the Board discussed the size of the letter and signs that he is proposing. Chief Building Official Gene Tumlinson explained that the maximum allowed for a ground sign is 100 sq ft. Board Member Clyde Duplissey made a motion, seconded by Alternate Board Member Harold Slagle, to approve 300 sq ft of signage on the property including the ground sign. Motion passed 4 to 0. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM. Minutes of the meeting approved and/or corrected this day of A.D., 1998. acte,e41 Calvin Collier, Jr., Board Chairman ATTEST: c Mona A ,' Phipps, Board Secretary 4