BM 2004-05-06 BOAMINUTES OF MAY 6, 2004
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
The Board of Adjustment of the City of Coppell met on Thursday, May 6, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of Town Hall, 255 Parkway Blvd.
In attendance:
Mark LeGros, Chairman
Rob Chomiak, Commissioner
David Terry, Commissioner
John Hoppie, Alternate Commissioner
Donald Perschbacher, Alternate Commissioner
Laura Ketchum, Alternate Commissioner
Absent:
David Stonecipher, Vice Chairman
Steven Wright, Commissioner
Ronald Smith, Commissioner
Also present:
Greg Jones, Chief Building Official
Mary Beth Spletzer, Secretary
Item 1: Call to Order.
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman LeGros.
Commissioners Hoppie and Perschbacher were invited to serve on the board, in the absence of
Commissioners Stonecipher and Wright.
Chairman LeGros explained the procedures of the meeting and administered the oath for those wishing
to speak for or against the request being heard this evening.
Item 2:
Approval of minutes of February 5, 2004 meeting.
Motion was made by Commissioner Terry to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2004, meeting.
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Hoppie, and a vote was taken. Motion carried, 5 to 0.
Minutes approved.
Item 3:
Public Hearing to consider approval of a variance request from Section 9-2-7 of the City
of Coppell's Code of Ordinances. Mr. Charles Chadwick, on behalf of Fellowship
Church, is requesting a variance to permit the erection of a pole-and-cable fence along
Creekview Drive at the rear of the church property.
Greg Jones distributed color photos, provided by the applicant, showing evidence of illegal dumping
and off-roading on the rear section of the property owned by Fellowship Church. He added that
although the church buildings are located in Grapevine, the church is experiencing problems with
illegal dumping and off-roading on a portion of the parking area and undeveloped property at the rear
of the parcel. He reported that the City monitors this area, and the church has always been cooperative
in the clean-up process, as requested by the City.
As a solution to this ongoing problem, Greg Jones further explained that the church would like to fence
off the area located in the vicinity of the Creekview Drive dead-end, to discourage people from
dumping. He explained that the church is proposing the construction of an unobtrusive pole-and-cable
fence, as opposed to chainlink fencing, adding that because the City's fence ordinance doesn't make
provisions for pole-and-cable fencing, the church is requesting this variance.
Commissioner Chomiak asked for a description of pole-and-cable fencing, and Greg Jones explained
that the proposed fence would be approximately three feet in height, consisting of treated wood posts,
drilled for a reasonably tight, single steel cable. He noted that the church has determined that the fence
would be sufficient to provide a "barrier" for those intending to back their vehicles further onto the
property and dump large debris.
Commissioner Perschbacher asked if the City would have authority to block off Creekview Drive,
since it is a dead-end street, in an attempt to curtail the easy access, and Greg Jones responded that the
City would be unable to block off the street, due to the fact that semi trucks and other large vehicles, as
well as fire trucks, may need Creekview Drive as a turnaround. He noted that although dumping may
still occur, it will at least be somewhat restricted.
The applicant was invited to step forward and present his case.
Charles Chadwick, Security Director for Fellowship Church, explained that this property is a popular
location for off-road trespassing, as well as illegal dumping. He reported, also, that the latest clean-up
project, conducted by church volunteers, involved filling two large roll-off containers, as well as
disposing of two large appliances dumped in Cottonwood Creek. He explained that the church simply
wants to provide a low-profile barrier to discourage dumping.
Chairman LeGros asked why the church preferred the pole-and-cable fence, if a chainlink fence might
actually provide more of a barrier to dumping. Mr. Chadwick responded that the church felt a pole-
and-cable fence would provide enough of a barrier, while still maintaining the property in its natural
state.
The meeting was opened to the public. No one spoke in favor of, or in opposition to, the variance
request.
The meeting was closed to the public and opened to the Board for discussion.
Commissioner Perschbacher commented that although he didn't believe a 3-ft. high fence would
prevent all dumping, it would probably help deter the dumping of large items, such as appliances. He
added that he felt the church's proposed solution was a good one.
Commissioner Terry asked for a more specific location for the fence, and, after some discussion, it was
decided that the fence would extend along the Creekview frontage, approximately 1,000 linear feet to
the south, from where Creekview Drive deadends. Commissioner Perschbacher commented that if the
variance is granted, the church should be granted some latitude as to the location of the fence.
Motion was made by Commissioner Terry that the variance request be granted to allow the
construction of a pole-and-cable fence. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Chomiak, and a vote
was taken. Motion carried, 5 to 0. Variance granted.
Other Business.
There was no other business to transact.
Adiournment.
Motion for adjournment was made by Commissioner Perschbacher. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Terry, and a vote was taken. Motion carried, 5 to 0. Meeting adjourned.
Mark LeGros, Chairman
Mary Beth Spletzer, Recording Secretary