BM 2005-09-01 BOAMINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
The Board of Adjustment of the City of Coppell met on Thursday, September 1, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of Town Hall, 255 Parkway Blvd.
In attendance : Absent :
David Stonecipher, Chairman David Terry, Commissioner
Mark LeGros, Vice Chairman Rob Chomiak, Commissioner
John Hoppie, Alternate Commissioner Don Perschbacher, Alternate Commissioner
Laura Ketchum, Alternate Commissioner
Jon Holzheimer, Alternate Commissioner
Also present : Applicant present :
Greg Jones, Chief Building Official Lisa White, 619 Oakbend Drive
Mary Beth Spletzer, Secretary
Item 1 : Call to Order.
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Stonecipher. Commissioners Hoppie, Ketchum,
and Holzheimer were invited to serve on the Board, in the absence of Commissioners Terry and Chomiak,
as well as to fill the position vacated by Commissioner Wright.
Item 2 : Approval of minutes of July 7, 2005 meeting.
Motion was made by Commissioner LeGros and seconded by Commissioner Ketchum to approve the
minutes of the July 7, 2005, meeting. A vote was taken, and the minutes were approved 5 to 0.
The oath was administered by Chairman Stonecipher for those wishing to speak at the public hearing.
Item 3 :
Public Hearing to consider approval of a variance request from Section 35-2 of the City of
619 Oakbend Drive
Coppell’s Zoning Ordinance, for the property located at in Coppell.
Ms. Lisa White is requesting a variance to allow for the construction of a 9-ft. by 7-ft.
bathroom, accessible only from the outside, and attached to the east side of the house.
Greg Jones explained that this request involves the construction of an accessory building, attached to the
east side of the house, but accessible only from the outside. He referred to the section of the Ordinance
stipulating that ‘accessory structures shall have no sleeping areas, bathroom plumbing (except for hand
sinks) or kitchen facilities, and shall not be used for commercial purposes, shall not be rented, and shall
not be occupied’. He noted that this section of the Ordinance was written to protect single family zoning.
He commented that if the applicant had simply requested this bathroom as an addition to their single
family dwelling, accessible by an inside door, there would be no problem, since the addition lies well
within the sideyard setbacks. He noted, however, that the applicant is concerned about damage to her new
hardwood floors by children coming and going from the pool, and felt that limiting access to the inside
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would help resolve that problem. Greg Jones further added that it is doubtful that a structure this small
could ever be rented out.
Greg Jones reported that he has a copy of the permit application for the proposed accessory structure, if
any of the board members wish to review it. He noted that the permit is lacking a couple of supporting
documents to make it a complete submittal, but those items will be obtained from the contractor if this
project goes forward.
Chairman Stonecipher asked if the accessory structure, itself, is acceptable as far as setbacks are
concerned, and Greg Jones indicated that it is acceptable. Commissioner LeGros asked how far from the
fenceline this accessory structure would extend, and Greg Jones indicated that the applicant could build
out as far as 10-1/2 feet and still be within the sideyard setback.
Commissioner Ketchum asked if the plumbing would involve more than just a handsink, and Greg Jones
indicated that he believed the bathroom would include a toilet and shower, in addition to a handsink, but
indicated that the applicant would be the one to actually confirm that information.
The applicant was invited to step forward to present her case.
Lisa White, of 619 Oakbend Drive, explained that her variance request would not impact any of her
neighbors and would not violate any City zoning regulations. She noted that her main objection with
having an inside door from the bathroom would be that the door may be left unlocked, thereby leaving the
entire house less secure. She emphasized that she has no other use for the structure other than as an
outdoor bathroom, mainly for use by children as they’re swimming and playing outside. She noted that
she has no intentions of renting it out, and would do nothing that would be detrimental to the
neighborhood. In addition, Ms. White indicated that she would like to include a handsink, toilet, and
shower, if the board so approves.
Commissioner Hoppie asked if the bathroom would be climate controlled, and Ms. White replied that it
would not be. He further asked which room would be adjacent to this proposed structure and how would
it possibly be impacted by the addition of an inside door. Ms. White responded that it would be the
master bedroom, and the addition of a door would ruin the only full wall in that room. She commented,
however, that aside from the aesthetic issue, the safety issue is actually the most important. She further
added that the exterior of this structure would be brick and stone with either one or two windows to match
the existing exterior.
The meeting was opened to the public. No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the variance request.
The meeting was closed to the public and opened to the board for discussion.
Commissioner Ketchum asked the applicant if there was anywhere else that she considered adding the
bathroom. Ms. White explained that an extension to the laundry room was considered, but in doing so,
they would exceed the sideyard setback requirements, so it was not considered to be a practical solution.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hoppie to grant the variance. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner LeGros, and a vote was taken. Motion carried, 4 to 1, with Commissioner Ketchum voting
in opposition. Variance granted.
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Other Business.
None.
Adjournment .
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner LeGros and seconded by Commissioner Ketchum.
Motion carried, 5 to 0. Meeting adjourned.
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David Stonecipher, Chairman
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Mary Beth Spletzer, Recording Secretary
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