HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-02-J01C Receipt-File_BOA Minutes_113017 AGENDA ITEM:
CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: January 2, 2018
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of receipt and file of Board of Adjustment Minutes of 11/30/17
meeting
FORMAT: Consent Agenda
SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: Attached is a copy of the Board of Adjustment Minutes from
their meeting held on November 30, 2017 for the City Council to receive and file
of record.
FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS:
COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT:
STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT:
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS: I. 11/30/17 Board of Adjustment Minutes
PREPARED BY: Andy Kass, Senior Planner
REVIEWED BY:
PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION –
NAME OF PUBLICATION:
DATE OF PUBLICATION:
J1C
MINUTES OF THE November 30th, 2017 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING
Call to Order. The November 30th, 2017 Board of Adjustment meeting was called to order at 5:30P.M by
Chairman Doug Drees.
Roll Call. The Chair asked for a roll call and the following Board Members were present: Breckenridge,
Drees, and Garcia. Absent: Board Member City Staff in attendance: Melissa DeBoer, Andy Kass, and
Kathryn Purvis. Applicants in attendance: Scott Anderson, a representative of the Applicant.
Approve the November 30th, 2017 Agenda. Board Member Breckenridge made a motion, seconded by
Board Member Irvin, to approve the agenda for November 2nd, 2017. Ayes: Breckenridge, Irvin, Drees,
and Myers. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Approve the November 2nd, 2017 Board of Adjustment Minutes. Board Member Myers made a
motion, seconded by Board Member Breckenridge, to approve the Board of Adjustment meeting minutes
for November 2nd, 2017 as written. Ayes: Breckenridge, Irvin, Drees, and Myers. Nays: None. Motion
carried.
Application for 208 W. Hickman Road ( Parcel ‘C’ of Lot 3 in Candle Ridge Park)- Variance from
305.8.C.2 of the Waukee Municipal Code to allow a monument sign to have a 2 foot setback in lieu
of the required 15 foot setback from property lines.
City Senior Planner Andy Kass introduced the request made by the applicant, Pointe West, LLC.
Granting the request would allow for a variance of the Waukee Municipal Code to allow for a monument
sign to be 2 feet from the property line instead of the minimum of 15 feet. Mr. Kass explained that the
applicant has stated that other properties in the area have signs closer than the fifteen foot setback and the
placement of the sign would be consistent providing a pleasing aesthetic to the location. The applicant
also noted that the current setback was not in effect when the building was constructed. The applicant has
also stated that the building is set back from Hickman road with no place to construct a monument sign
along that frontage. The applicant also stated that some of the units do not face Hickman directly, making
it difficult to see building signage.
Staff will not make a recommendation on the requested variance and will leave the decision to the Board
of Adjustments based upon the merits and criteria of the requested variances. Staff does have a few points
for the Board to keep in mind: the applicant’s contention that the ordinance was different at the
construction time of the current building is incorrect as it went into effect the year before construction.
The proposed sign could be permitted if the applicant met the setback requirement. There is an existing
underground 12 inch storm sewer pipe that is located at the required setback meaning a footing for the
proposed monument sign would interfere with the pipe. The applicant could turn the sign to that it is
parallel to laurel street and be within the set back and a distance from the building.
• Commissioner Drees clarified that Staff had not received any correspondence against the request.
Mr. Kass advised that was correct.
• Commissioner Breckenridge asked for more clarification on the visibility hardship. Mr. Kass
advised that the building has a Hickman Road address, but may not be directly visible from all
angles from Hickman Road.
• Commissioner Drees questioned if the sign would cause an obstruction, and if there was a street
easement for Laurel Street. Mr. Kass advised that there is no current plan to expand Laurel Street
so the sign would not obstructing an easement.
• Commissioner Drees and Breckenridge commented that the sign’s visibility drops with the
parallel orientation, and that they do not see it as a safety issue.
Member Breckenridge moved to approve the variance from 305.8.C.2 of the Waukee Municipal code to
allow a monument sign to have a 2 foot setback in lieu of the required 15 foot setback from property
lines. The Motion was seconded my Member Garcia. Ayes: Breckenridge, Drees, and Garcia. Nays:
None. Motion carried.
Application for 1150 SE Ashworth Road (Lot 1 is Ashworth South Plat 1) – Variance from
305.8.B.1. of the Waukee Municipal Code to allow wall signage along a façade without public street
frontage.
City Senior Planner Andy Kass introduced the request made by the applicant, AP GPP, LC. Granting the
request would allow for a variance of the Waukee Municipal Code to allow for wall signage to be placed
on a wall not fronting a public street. Mr. Kass explained that the applicant has stated a hardship as a
literal interpretation of the Ordinance deprives the applicant rights commonly enjoyed in the same district
because the project was designed with retail frontage style architecture on the west side of the building.
The applicant has also stated that a previous variance was granted in the area for Greater Iowa Credit
Union.
Mr. Kass explained that the applicant has indicated a uniqueness to the situation as the Kettlestone
District is still an undeveloped area and most patients of the future Unity Point clinic that will be in the
space will be traveling to the facility via Grand Prairie Parkway. A Sign facing Grand prairie Parkway
will help reduce the difficulty of patients finding the site. The applicant also noted that there is a
discrepancy with addressing the area with existing houses across Ashworth Road in the 3000 block.
Staff will not make a recommendation on the requested variance and will leave the decision to the Board
of Adjustments based upon the merits and criteria of the requested variances. Staff does have a few points
for the Board to keep in mind: buildings in all developments whether access is provided off of private
drives or from public streets are subject to the contested regulation. When the lot to the west of Lot 1 is
developed the signage may no longer be visible from Grand Prairie Parkway. The applicant has already
been issued a sign permit for the north elevation. The address discrepancies referenced are due to the fact
that the existing homes on the north side of SE Ashworth Road were originally addressed utilizing Dallas
County’s addressing system as they were not located within the city limits at the time of construction. The
applicant could install a monument sign on the property provided it met ordinance requirements.
• Board Member Drees questioned if it is odd to only have one public street frontage. Mr. Kass
advised no.
• Board Member Garcia advised that the Board granted the Variance for Greater Iowa Credit Union
because the applicant owned the parcel that fronted the public street. Mr. Kass advised that the
situation is the same in this instance.
• Board member Drees and Breckenridge agreed that the sign would be a public benefit by
providing visibility off of Grand Prairie Parkway. They also believed that the applicant did make
a point that it was a hardship being so close to another visible road but unable to have signage
that faces it.
• Aimee Staudt, Knapp Properties, representative of the applicant, advised that a patient would
have to be right in front of the building or on SE Ashworth Drive to be able to see the current
sign.
Member Garcia moved to approve the variance from 305.8.B.1. of the Waukee Municipal code to allow
wall signage along a façade without public street frontage. The Motion was seconded By Member
Breckenridge. Ayes: Breckenridge, Drees, and Garcia. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Old Business-
Senior Planner Andy Kass advised there was no Old Business.
New Business-
Senior Planner Andy Kass advised there was no New Business.
Adjournment
Member Breckenridge moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by member Garcia.
Ayes: Breckenridge, Drees, and Garcia. Nays: None. Motion carried.
The November 30th, Board of Adjustment Meeting was adjourned at 6:05 PM.
_____________________________________
Doug Drees, Board of Adjustment Chairman
Attest:
_____________________________________
Andy Kass, Senior City Planner