HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/24/2010 MINUTES OF THE WATERLOO BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING HELD ON
AUGUST 24, 2010, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
Chairperson Anfinson called the regular monthly meeting of the Waterloo Board of
Adjustment to order on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, at 4:00 p.m. Board members in
attendance were: Anfinson, Goldsberry, Mixdorf, Mohr and Holdiman. Staff in attendance
was Noel Anderson, Aric Schroeder, Tim Andera,Chris Western and Adam Poll. Eric
Thorson and Dennis Gentz from the City Engineering Department were in attendance. There
were 10 people from the public in attendance.
I. Apprnval of tl-iP Ag-nrla fnr August 74, ?Inn
It was moved by Holdiman, seconded by Goldsberry, to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion
carried unanimously.
II. Arrrnval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting on July 77, 7n1 n
It was moved by Mixdorf, seconded by Mohr, to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion
carried unanimously.
III. fPcicinn TtPms
1. Request by Struxture Architects on behalf of the Hawkeye Community College Foundation
for a Special Permit for the establishment of a Regional Transportation Training Facility and
construction of a related 80' x 130' 10,400 sq. ft. garage/classroom building, located directly
to the south of 6315 Hammond Avenue.
Western noted that the item had been tabled at the previous meeting in order for engineering
and traffic to discuss the implications of the truck training facility on the seal coat road.
Holdiman questioned the impact the trucks would have on the portion of Hammond Avenue
that they will be traveling.
Eric Thorson noted that a seal coat street is not designed for a lot of truck traffic. Thorson also
noted that there is a truck embargo on the bridge to the north. Thorson noted that the Street
Department would do their best to maintain the road.
Anfinson questioned the weight limits on the embargoed bridge. Thorson noted that the empty
trucks would not be a problem but the loaded trucks could present a problem. Holdiman noted
that all truck traffic would be routed to the south away from the bridge. Thorson noted that was
the case and that had lessened the concern of the Engineering Department. Mixdorf noted that
his company runs 50-70 ton cranes and semis on a seal coat parking lot at their location that has
held up very well over the last eight years.
Dan Channer distributed a handout with a brief history of the truck and transportation
program, noting it started in the late 70's and has recently taken off. Channer noted that the
college had used the former Greyhound Park, but the program was removed from that location
as the owner started storing wind turbine equipment at that location. From there the program
moved to the APAC site, and the program was removed when the property was going to be
sold. At that point the truck training facility decided they needed their own site. Channer noted
that currently the program averaged about 100 students programs per year, but projected a
large amount of growth. Channer noted the facility would be regional and could be used by law
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT community.
August 24,2010 Minutes is a benefit m the prpgram.
graduate of the program,noted that this program
David Bates,that
supports the program and that he is a success story and that the
Bates noted that he et with the City and County regarding the roads,
Charmer noted that he hasfeedback regarding the roads.
County had very positive
on Hammond. Anderson noted that use the embargo
s prevents througtquestioned the tuck embargo
through traffic as their destinationCe to the
h traffic,but does allow trucks with business on that ad.
through
Anderson noted that in this case the trucks are not or deliveries.h variance
noted
the
that the attorney for the City has s f indicated that a varian
training facility. Lentz notedo exception only allow
embargo may be needed as the embargo
of something the Board of Adjustment would determine. s Hoskins noted
that is n no truck
skins,825 Washburn Road,noted that the no truck sign means
Lael Hos
no one person or group is special. is beingdirected
. Mohr, to approve the request for a Special Permit for
tIt was moved by t a
rf, seconded by
in drainage, etc. is shown on the final site
' ment ofa regional transportation center subject to alltruck
he establishment
south on Hammond Avenue alVlotion landscaping,
unanimously.
plan. Motion carried unanimously. TH CONDITIONS.
SPECIAL PERMIT REQUEST APPROVED
uni Schools for the approval of a s specialon the ppermit
Tory ate the
2. Request by Waterloo Community
'od of 1 year,in addition to the 1 year already
of placing two temporary modularpxclassroom
'i assroo structures purposes• sle Elementary School f p
existing Kingsley
bystaff as a minor special permit,for a total time period of years.
approved
staff report noting the applicant is requesting to place 2 separate modular
Andera gave the P ' " (1,786 SF) and the other measuring
the site in question for 3 to 5 years. Andera
temporary classrooms one of which measuring
of 3 6 x 76' the
P
ne
23'6" x 70' (1645 SF) at the southwest p
staff n concerned with the length of time
that the request would not appear to have a significant negative impacton
notedg q
they would like given have the temporary nature,however, Prime that the e rt
the temporary classroom upon the site. Andera` noted that the property
they would P Y _
in'question andall surrounding areas area zonedhe�Zoning Ordinance noting that the the
ct,
q
and hasu been zoned as eveuch oiled adoptionn he re est as the proposed
surrounding area was developed for single-family residential purposes from the 1920s to
1940s. Andera noted that no additional screening
wis needed for all along Sunset Road that will screen a
classrooms would be located behind a retaining
ted that the
majority of
the building from residents to the south and weh�Andera the school and it proposed
e
modular classrooms are shown on a grassy area tot e sou
o
t
proponecesssed
ed to have
por st
orm water calculations submitted to the Engineerindg Departmentera o at the see
if
proposed temporary classrooms each house drainageould impact2 classsroot the ms, aste.well as a common bathroom om to
proposed modular structures would
be shared between the 2 rooms. Andera noted that Vhaed the manufacturer,which show 4
side elevations of the structures that have been pro by
casement windows and 2 doors entering the 2 classrooms, hich 4 casement towards
windowsandthe 2
playground area.The side facing towards Sunset Road
shows
Y
emer enc exit doors on each unit with their landings andstairs
airown conditioning unit eto the ground. xtending
dera
g have
noted that both narrow ends of the structures appear to
from the structure and the proposed structure would be sided with wood siding. Andera noted
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BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
August 24,2010 Minutes
Anfinson asked if the structures were as safe as a traditional classroom. Miller indicated they
would have all the same technology and alarms and would still have to meet fire code like any
other classroom. Schroeder noted that the applicants were requesting 3-5 years, and the
Planning Commission recommended 2 years but the Board of Adjustment could decide on any
amount of time. Mixdorf noted that the new school may take some time to be built, and that 3
years may seem more sensible.
It was moved by Holdiman, seconded by Goldsberry, to approve the special permit for the
purposes of placing two temporary modular classroom structures on the property at the
existing Kingsley Elementary School for a period of 2 years, in addition to the 1 year already
approved by staff as a minor special permit,for a total time period of 3 years subject to the
site plan meeting all applicable city codes. Motion carried unanimously.
SPECIAL PERMIT REQUEST APPROVED.
3. Request by Champion Garage Builders at 1915 W 4th Street for a variance to the 30% rear
yard coverage for accessory structures, to allow for the construction of a 24'x30' (720 SF)
garage, with a total rear yard lot coverage of 32.73%, 2.73% more then the maximum
allowed.
Poll gave the staff report noting the applicant is proposing to construct a 720 SF garage at their
property at 1915 West 4th Street. The construction of this garage would exceed the 30% rear yard
coverage limitation (660 SF) by 60 SF, or 2.73%. Poll noted that the property consists of 0.141
acres and is located at 1915 West 4th Street. The property and properties in the general area are
zoned "R-1", One and Two Family Residence District. Poll noted that the request would not
appear to have a negative impact on the surrounding area. Surrounding land is used for
residential purposes. Poll noted that the request does not appear to have any negative impact
on traffic in the area and was not located in the floodplain. Poll noted that the applicant has
requested to construct a 720 SF accessory building on the rear portion of their property,which
will replace an existing 216 SF garage located in a similar location. Poll noted that the City of
Waterloo Zoning Ordinance states that detached accessory structures"shall not occupy more
than thirty (30) percent of the rear yard..." The rear yard of the applicants property is 2,200 SF
and would allow for a 660 SF maximum-sized garage, 60 SF smaller then proposed. Poll noted
that the lot in question is unique in that the front of the lot is 75'wide,while the rear of the lot is
46' wide, effectively creating a smaller rear yard. Staff would note that if the lot was 75' wide in
the rear, as it is in the front, a variance would not be needed, as it would meet the rear yard
coverage requirements. The applicant has noted that if the rear of the yard were even 50' wide,
there would be enough space to accommodate a 720 SF garage. Poll noted that the proposed
garage would appear to meet all set back requirements for an accessory structure. Poll noted
that the size requirement was put in place to not have accessory structures overly dominate a
residential lot and look out of place. In this instance,the site in question would appear to have
adequate space and the requested 720 SF garage is comparable in size to several others in the
area. Poll noted that staff recommends the variance be approved.
Dan Perry, 1915 W 4th Street, noted that the lot was narrower in the rear then the front and that
the garage that is currently in existence cannot hold a compact car. Anfinson asked if there was
alley access in the rear. Perry noted his property does not use the alley for access.
It was moved by Mohr, seconded by Holdiman, to approve the request for a variance to the
30% rear yard coverage for accessory structures, to allow for the construction of a 24'x30' (720
SF)garage, with a total rear yard lot coverage of 32.73%,2.73% more then the maximum
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