HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo from Planning
Project: Destination Pump House Variance
RECEIVED
MAR 2 1 2006
c~ of Meridian
City Clerk Office
Location: north side of Overland Road, west of Millennium Way and east of Locust Grove Road
Application: variance
Highlights of Proposed Development: The applicant is requesting a variance to allow an impervious
surface (irrigation pump house) within the landscape street buffer to Overland Road.
Other: Findings
The City Council shall apply the standards listed in Idaho Code 67-6516 and all the fmdings
listed in Section 11 ~5B~4E of the UDC to review the variance request. In order to grant a
variance, the Council shall make the following findings:
A. The variance shall not grant a right or special privilege that is not otherwise allowed
in the district:
The City regularly allows minor public utilities to locate within required landscape
buffers. However, the size of the existing structure takes away from the aesthetic value of
the nearby landscaping. If the pump house is modified as proposed, to be 4~feet tall and
screened with dense landscaping, staff finds that a special privilege will not be granted to
the applicant.
B. The variance relieves an undue hardship because of characteristics of the site;
Staff finds there is a physical characteristic of the site which requires the applicant to
operate the pump house in this location. Nampa~Meridian Irrigation District expressed a
desire to have the pump house be located at the conjunction of the delivery box and the
drain pipe, within the existing irrigation easement limits. Therefore, the pump house was
designed and located astride the line that delineates the limit of the landscape setback.
Granted, this pump house could have been located further to the north, outside the
required buffer area, but it was located as such due to the subject area already being
encumbered by an irrigation easement.
C. The variance shall not be detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare.
Staff finds that allowing the irrigation pump house and impervious surface within the
landscape buffer on Overland Road will not be detrimental to the public health, safety,
and/or welfare. Further, staff has a copy of a letter from Mark Canfield, president of
Cesco, dated January 26,2006, which states their (Cesco's) full support of the applicant's
proposal to replace the èurrent building with a low profile cover, surrounded by plant
materials (Cesco is the adjacent property owner who originally made staff aware of the
violation.)
Elevations:
Yes - attached to the Staff Report
Commission Recommendation: NA
Outstanding Issue(s) for City Council: none known
Findings:
Yes-for approval
Notes: