HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo from PlanningR,~ECEIVED
Project: Redden
Location: 1418 N. Vineyards Avenue
JAN 2 2 2008
City of Meridian
City Clerk Office
Applications: variance
Highlights of Proposed Development: The applicant is requesting a variance to reduce the rear yard
setback from 15 feet to 2 feet and a minimum street setback from 15 feet to 12 feet.
Elevations/Photos: Yes
Other: The applicant states that the reason the shed was installed was due to a letter that he had received
from the HOA regarding safety concerns that people could not see around the his Idaho Power work truck
parked in front of his house. In response to these concerns, the applicant hired Stor Mor Sheds to install a
shed in the rear yard for storage in order to be able to park his work truck in the driveway. He states that
he was unaware that a permit or compliance with setbacks was required because the shed is not on a
permanent foundation.
Approval of a Variance by City Council would allow the existing shed to remain in its current location.
Denial would require the shed to be relocated.
Note: There is a 10-foot wide public utilities and drainage easement that exists along the rear property
line. The structure is currently located within this easement. Staff informed the applicant that if Council
approves the Variance and a rear setback of 2 feet is granted, the structure would need to be removed (by
the applicant or at the applicant's expense) if access to the easement was ever necessary. Further, if a
variance is granted by the City, the applicant would still need to obtain permission from the utility
companies that hold the easement in order for the structure to encroach within the easement.
Letters of testimony: Letters of testimony have been submitted to the City on this application by
adjacent neighbors as follows: Michelle Gomez (1421 N. Vineyards Avenue), Cassie Somerville (1440 N.
Vineyards Avenue), and Dan Barber (1425 N. Santa Rosa Place). All of the letters state that they have no
problems or concerns regarding the location of the shed.
Per UDC 11-SB-4.E, in order to grant a Variance, the City Council must be able to meet the following
findings:
1) The variance shall not grant a right or special privilege that is not otherwise allowed in
the district:
2) The variance relieves an undue hardship because of characteristics of the site;
3) The variance shall not be detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare.
Staff has reviewed these findings and believes that granting a Variance for the reason requested by the
applicant would grant a right or special privilege to the applicant that is not otherwise allowed in the
district. Further, Staff believes that there are no undue hardships due to the characteristics of the site that
would prevent the applicant from meeting the required setbacks. If the Council should decide to grant
the Variance, Staff believes that it would not be detrimental to the public health, safety, and/or welfare.
However, the City Council should rely on any testimony provided at the public hearing to determine this
finding.
If the Council chooses to deny the applicant's request, Staff recommends that within 30 days, from
the date of approval of the Findings, the applicant relocate the shed to be in conformance with the
setback standards of the R-4 district.
Notes:
1/22/2008