2006-11-21 (meeting minutes) vMinutes of November 21, 2006, Community Development Board Meeting
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF
THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
November 21, 2006
A regular meeting of the Community Development Board was held on Tuesday, November 21,
2006, in the City Hall Commission Chambers. Present were Chairman Sam Jacobson, David
Boyer, Lynn Drysdale, Chris Lambertson, Dave MacInnes, Carolyn Woods, Community
Development Director Sonya Doerr, and Recording Secretary Bambi Dickinson. Craig Burkhart
was absent.
1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Jacobson called the meeting to order at 7:06pm.
2. Approval of Minutes.
A motion was made by Mr. Lambertson to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of
October 17, 2006. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
3. Recognition of Visitors. No persons spoke at this time.
4. Old Business. None.
5. New Business.
a. ZVAR-2006-10, Gary James. Request for a Variance to reduce the 20-foot rear yard
setback to 12-feet to allow for construction of an addition to the rear of an existing single-
family residence within the RG-lA zoning District located at 128 Camelia Street.
Kenneth Stafford introduced himself as the liaison between the James family and the contractor,
who employs Mr. Stafford. Mr. Stafford provided a brief explanation of the proposed addition to
the existing home. The James' would like to build on top of an existing slab and extend it out
further along the width of the house. Chairman Jacobson inquired how long the James' have
resided in the home and what do they intend to do with the extra rooms. Carrie James responded
that the family had lived in the home for ten years and the area to be added would consist of a
large closet and storage area for Mr. James' hunting and fishing equipment, which also consists
of several large mounted trophy animals. These items are currently stored in a bedroom. The
James' would like to add on because they also need the extra bedroom for a nursery as Mrs.
James is expecting a baby in December. Ms. Woods inquired if the James' have considered
adding on to the home without building into the rear yard setback. Mr. Stafford indicated that
the current plan is prudent and best meets the family's needs. Mr. Boyer noted there is a very
large oak tree located in the front of the home. Mr. James stated he does not want to remove the
tree. Chairman Jacobson explained to the James' that the request they had made to build into the
rear setback was the most frequent request to come before this Board, and most of the requests
had been denied unless there was a mitigating circumstance as provided for in the Code. Mr.
Jacobson further explained that the Board did not have the flexibility to grant a Variance unless it
met the reasons that are outlined in the City Code, and that they had to be fair and consistent with
Minutes of November 21, 2006, Community Development Board Meeting
all requests. He also commented that he had concerns with a request to build into the rear
setback for the purpose of building storage and asked Mr. James if he had considered using a
storage building for his hunting and fishing items. Mr. James replied that these items needed to
be better protected from the weather. Mr. Boyer asked if the James' had discussed the addition
with his surrounding neighbors. Mr. James stated he had talked with his two side neighbors and
they seemed fine with the addition. The property to the rear is believed to be a rental property
and he has not talked with them. Mr. Lambertson requested the circumference of the tree and
asked Ms. Doerr if tree removal would require a permit if it is to be removed due to construction.
Mr. James estimated the diameter to be approximately five feet. (Note: Size of tree corrected to
18-24 inches DBH during discussion of minutes and this item at the December 19th meeting.]
Ms. Doerr stated a tree removal permit approved by the Tree Board would be required before
any construction could be permitted. Ms. Woods and Mr. Lambertson agreed that this tree might
be a mitigating factor for, approving this request with Mr. Lambertson stating he is not usually in
favor of approving these types of requests, but that if the owners get a tree removal permit to
remove this tree to build the addition in the front, the end result might be worse than approving
this Variance. Ms. Drysdale stated the lot appears compromised due to the size and location of
the tree, which might make the lot irregular. She indicated that setback relief might be
considered for this reason. Mr. Lambertson concurred that the tree makes the buildable area of
the lot an irregular shape. Ms. Woods suggested the possibility of building an addition onto the
front of the home. Mr. Boyer also commented that there were other options that might work.
This might accomplish saving the tree, allowing for an addition, and not building into the rear
setback. In addition, she would like more information about the current condition of the tree
from an arborist who can evaluate the root system and a survey indicating the exact location of
the tree. Ms. Woods suggested that Mr. James contact a County Extension Agent or the City to
see if an arborist could come and look at the tree to determine the health of the tree. Mr. Boyer
noted that this area is already pretty dense and that the back yard of this lot is already small, but
acknowledged that this is a very large tree.
A motion was made by Ms. Woods to defer this request until the December l9, 2006
meeting to allow the applicant to provide an accurate survey of the placement of the large
tree and have an arborist evaluate the tree's current condition. Mr. Boyer seconded the
motion, and it passed unanimously.
6. Other Business Not Requiring Action.
Ms. Doerr distributed the updated and revised Ordinance Number 90-06-196 to all Board
Members. Ms. Doerr reminded Board Members the next meeting was on December 19, 2006 in
order to verify that a quorum would be in attendance.
7. Meeting adjourned at 8:OSpm.
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f ~ Signed: Sam acobs n Chairman
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Attest
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