BM 2001-09-06 BOAMINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 6, 2001
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
The Board of Adjustment of the City of Coppell met on Thursday, September 6, 2001, at 7:30 p.m.
in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 255 Parkway Blvd.
In attendance:
David Stonecipher, Chairman
Mark LeGros, Vice Chairman
Steven Wright, Commissioner
Robert Chomiak, Commissioner
Norman Kressmann, Commissioner
John Hoppie, Alternate Commissioner
David Terry, Alternate Commissioner
Robert Turk, Alternate Commissioner
Also present:
Greg Jones, Chief Building Official
David Dodd, City Attorney
Mary Beth Spletzer, Recording Secretary
Applicants present:
John and Imedla Hechanova, 329 N. Heartz, Coppell
Item 1: Call to Order.
Chairman Stonecipher called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
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:
Approval of Minutes of June 7, 2001 Meeting
Motion was made by Commissioner Chomiak to approve the minutes of the June 7, 2001, meeting.
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Turk, 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 13-3 (1)(B) of
the City' s Zoning Ordinance, for the property located at 329 N. Heartz Road. John
and Imelda Hechanova are requesting a 3-1/2 ft. variance to the 15-ft. building line on
the west side of the lot to allow for a room expansion.
Greg Jones explained that this request consists of a 3-1/2 ft. variance to the 15-ft. sideyard setback
along the Rustic Meadow side of this corner lot, with the front building line at 25 ft. He indicated
that the applicants wish to enlarge a first floor room to provide a bedroom for their elderly parents,
who currently use a second floor bedroom, but are experiencing mobility problems. He reported that
when he met with the applicants, he stressed the need to keep the encroachment to an absolute
minimum, the result of which was this floor plan, allowing an expansion of 3-1/2 ft. beyond the 15-
ft. sideyard building line. He reported that because the actual setback line angles and widens slightly
as it extends backward, the amount of the encroachment also gradually decreases.
The applicants were invited to step forward to present their case.
John and Imelda Hechanova indicated that the expansion of the first floor front room was considered
the best, among all options considered. Mrs. Hechanova explained that her parents rely on
respiratory equipment, which is more conveniently used on the first floor, not to mention the close
proximity of the first floor bathroom to this proposed room expansion. Mr. Hechanova explained
that the architectural committee for the Stonemeade Estates Homeowner's Association reviewed and
approved the proposed plan. He added that the plan was also shared with several neighbors in the
immediate area, and none were opposed to the plan.
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.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kressmann to grant the 3-1/2 ft. variance to the 15-ft. building
line on the west side of the lot. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Turk, and a vote was taken.
Motion failed, 3 to 2, with Commissioners Stonecipher and Wright voting in opposition to the
motion. Variance denied.
Discussion continued, with Commissioner Wright asking if a lesser variance might be considered, or
possibly re-positioning the room expansion a little further back, so as not to crowd the corner. The
applicants were asked to return to the podium for their response, and Mr. Hechanova commented
that he felt a greater setback from the front building line would detract from the exterior aesthetics of
the house.
Greg Jones added that when Mr. and Mrs. Hechanova first approached him about a variance request,
they were proposing a 12-ft. variance, so they drastically reduced their original idea.
Motion was made by Commissioner Wright to grant the 3-1/2 ft. variance to the 15-ft. building line.
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kressmann, and a vote was taken. Motion failed, 3 to 2,
with Commissioners Wright and Stonecipher voting in opposition to the motion. Variance denied.
Item 4:
Public Hearing to consider approval of a variance request from Section 34 of the
City' s Zoning Ordinance, for the property located at Lot 2, Block 3, of the Town
Center Addition. Mr. Alen Hinckley is requesting a variance to reduce the required
landscaping on this development and to provide off-site landscape of an equal amount
to offset this shortfall on an adjacent parcel.
The meeting was turned over to David Dodd, of the City Attorney's Office, who presented a Motion
for Continuance. He reported that until City Council has completed the final site plan review on
September 11th, the Board of Adjustment does not have jurisdiction to rule in this case.
David Dodd read the Motion for Continuance. Motion was made by Commissioner Kressmann to
grant the Continuance. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Wright, and a vote was taken.
Motion carried, 5 to 0. Continuance granted.
Item 5: Other Business.
Greg Jones announced that the annual orientation/training session will be scheduled for mid-
October, as a refresher for current board members and to benefit the incoming new board member.
In addition, Greg Jones announced that public hearings will be scheduled in the coming months, as
preparation for the City's adoption of the new International Codes, including the new International
Residential Code. He noted that all of the codes would be considered for adoption, collectively, at a
meeting of the Building and Standards Commission.
Adjournment.
Motion was made by Commissioner Wright that the meeting be adjourned. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Chomiak, and a vote was taken. Motion carried, 5 to 0. Meeting adjourned.
David Stonecipher, Chairman
Mary Beth Spletzer, Recording Secretary