PD145R(CH)-CS 960501 ___ 214-462-0022
7_VVith-~Be/autiful Future Coppell, Texas
Coppell, Texas 75019
May 1, 1996
Ms. Kathy Russell
ReMax DFW Associates Real Estate
500 South Denton Tap Road
Copper TX 75019
Dear Ms. Russell:
You currently have a listing for a property in Woodridge where the homeowner has converted
the garage to another use. The SF-7 Single-Family Residential District of the City of Coppell,
however, requires 2 enclosed parking spaces on each residential lot. This conversion poses a
problem, since the Homeowners Association or a .neighbor could file a complaint requesting the
City to enforce its requirements.
Whereas it may not be the responsibility of either of us to solve the problem, as professionals
who serve the public, I believe we have a responsibility to make sure that the problem is not
passed on to unsuspecting parties. A title company may need to place an exception in the policy
it writes. A real estate appraiser may want to exclude unauthorized building modifications from
his or her valuation. A mortgage lender may want to base its loan on the property's value prior
to unauthorized modification. A prospective purchaser may want to know the ramifications of
City code enforcement.
None of the above will help sell the property. The best course of action may be to advise your
client to return the property to its original condition.
Sincerely,
Pert Virtanen
Assistant Director of Planning and Community Services
cc: Greg Jones, Chief Building Official
Gary Daniels, President, Woodridge Homeowners Association
I
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The City of Coppell now requires builders of new single-family housing to provide each home
with a garage for at least two cars. The builder of the Woodridge garden homes did not provide
garages because City regulations at that time did not require them. Instead, the builder provided
each lot with a concrete-paved, 2-car parking space adjoining the rear alley.
If a homeowner now wants to add protected car parking, thc City requires it to meet the present
standards. In the garden home area of Woodridge, that means a fully enclosed, attached garage
at least 10 feet away from a neighbor's house, and--to provide room for parking in front of the
garage--with at least 20 feet between the garage door and the alley right-of-way.
In your opinion, is the application of the present regulations in the garden home area of
Woodridge reasonable?
[] No, the cost of meeting current City standards discourages homeowners from improving their
property. The neighborhood needs improvement, and concessions are necessary to achieve
this.
Yes, City standards should apply equally to all. There is no good reason why a small group
of homeowners should get preferential treatment which could lower neighborhood property
values.
If you answered yes, you need not continue. If you answered no, please continue. We need
to find out the kinds of alternative building standards you think would be appropriate for the
circumstances.