HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 8, 2006
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT
OF THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
Held Tuesday, August 8, 2006, 3:00 p.m., City Council Chamber, City Hall, 1501 Truxtun
Avenue, Bakersfield, California.
ROLL CALL
1.
BOARD MEMBERS: Present: GEORGE GONZALES, Chairperson
PHIL BURNS
JACK LA ROCHELLE
STAFF MEMBERS: JIM EGGERT, Principal Planner
ROBERT SHERFY, Deputy City Attorney II
ISABEL WILLIAMS, Recording Secretary
The Chairperson read the Notice of Right to appeal as set forth on the agenda.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
2.
No speakers cards were presented.
3.CONSENT CALENDAR
A.Non-Public Hearing Items:
1.Minutes of the regular meeting held June 13 and July 11, 2006.
B.Public Hearing Items:
File No. 06-0868.
1. Conditional Use Permit to allow the expansion of an
existing day care center at a church facility in an R-1-CH (One-Family
Dwelling/Church) zone district located at 8420 Stine Road.
2.File No. 06-1096.
Conditional Use Permit to allow an additional 750 sq. ft.
dwelling unit on a 5,250 sq. ft. site located in an M-1 (Light Manufacturing)
zone located at 519 Kentucky Street.
3.File No. 06-1235.
Conditional Use Permit to allow a 4,197 sq. ft. community
park building for the City in the Hills Tract 6406 in an R-1 (One Family
Dwelling) zone district located at 10002 Paradiso Way.
4.File No. 06-1261.
Conditional Use Permit to allow an automotive machine
shop at an existing automotive parts retail center in a C-2 (Regional
Commercial) zone district located at 25 Union Avenue.
Minutes, BZA, 07/11/06 Page 2
Staff indicated that they would like to remove item B1. Motion made by Member
Burns to approve the Consent Calendar, with the removal of item B1.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Members Burns, LaRochelle, Gonzales.
File No. 06-0868.
Conditional Use Permit to allow the expansion of an existing
day care center at a church facility in an R-1-CH (One-Family Dwelling/Church)
zone district located at 8420 Stine Road.
Staff noted they removed this item from the consent calendar because of a
correction to the staff report and conditions concerning the number of children at
the facility. Mr. Eggert recommended the Board approve the revised resolution.
The public hearing was opened. Staff report was given. No one spoke in
opposition or in favor of the application. The public hearing was closed. Member
LaRochelle inquired if this portion of Stine Road is fully improved. Staff
responded that this site went through a recent site plan review approval and they
were required to do a full dedication, however Staff does not know if all of the
improvements were done at that time, or if there was some deferral because it was
a phased project. Staff confirmed that the subject parcel has curb and gutter.
Member LaRochelle moved to adopt the revised Resolution with all findings and
conditions approving Conditional Use Permit 06-0868 as depicted in the project
description as modified by memoranda from Jim Eggert, Principal Planner, dated
August 7, 2006.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Members Burns, LaRochelle, Gonzales.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.
A.File No. 06-0821.
Zoning Modification to allow 15 and 20 ft. front yard setbacks
where a minimum of 25-feet is required on a total of 70 of 426 lots in Tentative
Tract No. 6404 in the R-1 (One-Family Dwelling) zone district located at the SE
corner of Panorama Drive & Vineland Road – Tract 6406. (Continued from June
13 and July 11, 2006)
Member LaRochelle stated that he has listened to the prior meeting’s tape
concerning this issue and can participate in this matter.
Staff provided updated information concerning the elevation differences between
the lots. Mr. Eggert showed the Board cross-sections within the tract with
elevation differences from approximately 3 1/2 feet to nearly 8 feet. Member
Minutes, BZA, 07/11/06 Page 3
LaRochelle inquired why the cross section for the 8-foot difference indicates a
distance from the hinge point to the landscaped wall of 1’, while the other ones
have a distance of 2’ which is standard. Staff responded that they did not have an
answer to this, but the applicant may be able to respond. Susan McCavalier, D.R.
Horton, representing the applicant, stated that she is not clear why it is at 1’. She
indicated that she could correct this. Member LaRochelle suggested that the
critical point is from the catch point to the hinge point, not the catch point to the
back of the wall.
Member Burns stated that to be consistent with the previous application on Tract
6000, there would have to be a significant elevation difference. In that tract, the
differences ranged from 1 to over 20 feet. He stated that this application is
substantially less and he could not make the appropriate findings to support.
Member LaRochelle suggested that the setbacks should have been dealt with at
the tract level. He further commented that he agrees with Mr. Burns and that he
cannot support this application.
Teddy Boulden with D.R. Horton Homes commented that as they started grading
this site, they ended up with certain fill conditions that caused them to want to
provide more living space in the backyard and still maintain some of the main
criteria the ordinance requires. Mr. Boulden stated that they understand the 25’
setback, and they are not trying to ask for decreased setbacks across the board, but
rather on 70 lots. He stated that they were hoping that the 5’ allowance would not
require a retaining wall.
Member LaRochelle stated they are only requesting modification of City
ordinance to cut costs. He stated this type of justification is not appropriate.
Member Burns inquired of all the 70 lots how many were going to be at 15’ and
how many were going to be at 20’. Mr. Boulden stated they don’t have an actual
percentage ratio. Mr. Eggert directed the Board to the applicant's identification
sheet in the report packet. Member Gonzales stated that he agrees with the other
members, and further stated that as to the ordinance it should have been dealt with
at the tract map development.
Member LaRochelle moved to adopt a Resolution with findings based on
evidence presented in the record and at the hearing denying modification 06-0821
as depicted in the project description.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Members Burns, LaRochelle, Gonzales.
Minutes, BZA, 07/11/06 Page 4
B.File No. 06-1249.
Zoning Modification to reduce the required front yard setback
along Amati Drive from 25 feet to 20 feet for a single-family residence in an R-1
(One-Family Dwelling) zone district located at 7009 Amati Drive.
The public hearing was opened. Staff report was given recommending denial of
the application. Brad Shamblis with Gaskill Homes clarified that on that
particular lot they are asking for the variation for one home only. He pointed out
that each of the homes in a row will be varied in elevation and in color schemes,
and the majority of this house will be set further back, as well as have a side load
garage. He further pointed out that there will only be four houses on that side of
the street.
No one spoke in favor of Staff’s recommendation. The public hearing was
closed.
Member Burns stated that the applicant approached him about the initial
construction, and the applicant was of the understanding that they were at their
own risk in starting this project. Since the applicant chose to begin construction
at their own risk, and is now asking the city to approve their field error, he
indicated that he cannot support the application.
Member Gonzales inquired if the basements are a problem with setbacks in this
area, to which Staff responded in the negative. Member Gonzales inquired about
the curved and straight lines, to which Staff gave an explanation of how setbacks
are identified on cul-de-sac lots.
Member LaRochelle agreed with Member Burns and added that there is a reason
there is professional liability insurance when an engineer makes an error.
Member Burns moved to adopt the attached Resolution with all findings denying
zoning modification 06-1249 depicted in the project description.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Members Burns, LaRochelle, Gonzales.
COMMUNICATIONS;
5.
None.
BOARD COMMENTS:
6.
None.
Minutes, BZA, 07/11/06 Page 5
ADJOURNMENT:
7.
There being no further business the meeting was concluded at 3:43 p.m. The next Board
of Zoning Adjustment meeting is scheduled for September 12, 2006.
Isabel Williams
Recording Secretary
JAMES D. MOVIUS, Secretary
Planning Director