BM 2000-07-06 BOAMINUTES OF JULY 6, 2000
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
The Board of Adjustment of the City of Coppell met on Thursday, July 6, 2000, at 7:30 p.m. in
the City Council Chambers of Town Center, 255 Parkway Blvd., Coppell, Texas.
In attendance:
David Stonecipher, Chairman
Mark LeGros, Vice Chairman
Jamshed Jamadar, Commissioner
Steve Wright, Commissioner
Robert Chomiak, Commissioner
John Hoppie, Alternate Commissioner
Norman Kressmann, Alternate Commissioner
Robert Turk, Alternate Commissioner
Absent:
John DeLong, Alternate Commissioner
Also present:
Greg Jones, Chief Building Official
Mary Beth Spletzer, Recording Secretary
Applicants present:
John Gesek, 105 Sand Point Court, Coppell
Brad Reid, 255 Parkway Blvd., Coppell
REGULAR SESSION: (Open to the public)
Item 1: Call to Order
Chairman Stonecipher called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
Commissioner Kressmann was invited to serve on the Board, replacing Commissioner Chomiak.
Chairman Stonecipher administered the oath for all members of the audience wishing to speak
either for or against the requests being presented at this meeting.
Item 2: Minutes of June 1, 2000
Minutes of the June 1, 2000 meeting were presented for approval. Motion was made by
Commissioner LeGros that the minutes be approved. Motion was seconded by Commissioner
Kressmann, and a vote was taken. Motion carried, 5 to 0.
Item 3: Public Hearing
Public Hearing to consider approval of a variance from Section 33-1-1 of the C ity's
Zoning Ordinance, for the property located at 702 S. Denton Tap Road. Mr. John Gesek
is requesting a variance to allow a living screen along the eastern side of the property in
lieu of the required 6-ft. masonry screening wall.
Page 2 - July 6, 2000
Greg Jones explained that the applicant is requesting that the required 6-ft. masonry screening
wall be replaced with a living screen at the rear of the property. He explained that when the site
was originally developed, there were approximately 70 inches of tree mitigation requirements.
The applicant is asking that he be allowed to place these additional caliper inches toward the rear
of the site where they can help achieve the maximum benefit in creating a living screen. He
added that Staff recommends approval.
The applicant was invited to step forward to present his case.
John Gesek, representing Turner-Gesek Investments, distributed correspondence resulting from
an open house he hosted recently for neighboring Creekview property owners who would be most
impacted by this request. After meeting with the neighbors, Mr. Gesek explained that, in addition
to the existing trees, he plans to add seven Leyland Cypress (non-deciduous) trees, set back about
10 feet from the first row, to fill in gaps and provide a denser screen. Mr. Gesek added that the
proposed living screen would eventually provide much more screening than a wall, taking into
account the slope of the land and the diminished benefit of such a wall.
The meeting was opened to the public.
Those wishing to speak in favor of the request were invited to step forward.
Tim Pletta, of 150 E. Bethel Road, spoke in favor of the request, adding that this proposal
satisfies his request for a visual and sound barrier. In addition to the information provided, Mr.
Pletta clarified that the applicant also agreed to provide one additional tree in row one (the
existing trees) of the living screen.
Those wishing to speak in opposition to the request were invited to step forward.
Darrell Ray, of 155 Shiloh Court, indicated that he would like clarification on the requirements of
the placement of a 6-ft. screening wall, if the slope of the land does not allow any benefit from
such a wall.
The meeting was closed to the public and opened to the Board for discussion.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kressmann to grant the variance request, as shown on the
proposed site plan, but with the placement of one additional tree in row one. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner LeGros, and a vote was taken. Motion carried, 5 to 0. Variance
granted.
Item 4: Public Hearing
Public Hearing to consider approval of a variance from Section 21-5 of the City' s Zoning
Ordinance, for the property located at 606 S. Coppell Road. Mr. Brad Reid, Parks
Planning and Landscape Manager for the City of Coppell, is requesting the variance to
allow CMU (cinder block) exterior construction for the proposed additions to the City's
Senior Center, to match the existing structure.
Page 3 - July 6, 2000
Greg Jones explained that this request involves expansions at the rear of both buildings on this
site, including the addition of exterior wall. He added that these buildings pre-date the existing
Zoning Ordinance. Under the current Ordinance, the exterior construction would be required to
be brick or stone. He indicated that the applicant wishes to be able to match the existing cinder
block construction for continuity. He added that because this is a Historical Overlay district,
other materials are allowed through the Special Use process, as evidenced by most of the
structures in that area. He noted that Staff recommends approval of this request.
The applicant was invited to step forward to present his case.
Brad Reid, Parks Planning and Landscape Manager for the City of Coppell, displayed the
expansion plans for the two buildings, noting that the addition to the annex will consist of 385 sq.
ft., whereas the senior center addition will consist of 374 sq. ft., as well as a small covered patio.
The public hearing was opened to the public. No one spoke in favor of the variance request.
Those wishing to speak in opposition to the variance request were invited to step forward.
Steve Chaddick, of 2019 Northwood Terrace, explained that he manages several properties in the
Old Town area, and although he is not specifically opposed to this request, he is concerned about
potential overflow parking, due to the expansion, and whether his properties will be impacted.
Chairman Stonecipher asked that this matter be directed to City officials during business hours,
since it did not relate to this evening's topic.
Joe Shirley, of 582 Villawood Lane, explained that he owns the Barber Shop at 460 W. Bethel.
He added that he is not opposed to this evening's proposal regarding exterior construction, but
indicated that he needs clarification on the City's expansion plans and how they may impact the
parking situation. Chairman Stonecipher reiterated that the only issue on this evening's agenda
relates to exterior construction.
The public hearing was closed to the public and opened to the Board for discussion.
Motion was made by Commissioner LeGros to grant the variance request. Motion was seconded
by Commissioner Kressmann, and a vote was taken. Motion carried, 5 to 0. Variance granted.
Item 5: Other Business
Greg Jones announced that Council recently acted to allow the Board of Adjustment to consider
variances on fence placement in PD zoned districts.
Greg Jones reported that nine such variance requests, relating to PD zoned districts, have already
been received for the Board's consideration at the August 3rd meeting.
Greg Jones announced that the Council Chambers will soon undergo renovation, at which time,
the Board of Adjustment meetings will be moved to the second floor conference room during the
remodeling period. He reported that board members will be contacted regarding meeting location
changes.
Page 4- July 6, 2000
Chairman Stonecipher reminded members that the deadline to submit renewal applications for
Board of Adjustment terms is July 3 1st.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned.
David Stonecipher, Chairman
Mary Beth Spletzer, Recording Secretary