Crystal Lake Park - August 3, 2006 Minutes

Crystal Lake Park

Minutes

of the City of Crystal Lake Park, Missouri

Regular Meeting of the Board of Adjustment

Thursday, August 3, 2006

Building Commissioner (BC) Robb Lappe called the meeting of the Board of Adjustment to order and announced a quorum.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Building Commissioner Robb Lappe, Mayor Matt Balcer and Alderperson Bonnie Taylor, and Board of Adjustment Members Sue Glarner, Martin Long, Marianne Stuart, Mary Jane Cusumano and Barry Larson, as well as Planning & Zoning Commission members Jim Gehringer and Rita Brinkman.

Absent: None.

REVIEW ITEMS:

A. Variance Request for a New Home at Crystal Drive and Grandview Drive.

Building Commissioner (BC) Lappe opened the meeting with a discussion concerning the request by 345 Development for a variance on the proposed residence at Crystal Drive and Grandview Drive. Lappe reminded the Board that the proposal for a new residence was first submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission at the May 2006 meeting, and that the Commission had given preliminary approval to the plans with minor adjustments. The variance being requested at this meeting, Lappe explained, was for an additional 12 inches on the south side setback of the property. Lappe noted that the builders of the last three homes requesting such a variance had all been approved. Lappe distributed a rendering of the proposed two-story home to Board members to review.

A discussion ensued regarding concerns that the lot on which the new home was being proposed was small and that a 12 inch variance would allow for less green space between the new home and the existing home on the adjacent lot. Additional discussion ensued concerning building a two story home next to existing ranch homes and whether or not the size and design of the new home would fit with homes in the area.

Board member Cusumano suggested that the City should change the current ordinances to be more moderate so that the Board would not have to continue receiving requests for variances. Some Board members indicated that they would prefer ranch homes built on the smaller lots as opposed to two story homes. Cusumano noted that builders would find it economically unfeasible to build ranch homes in the City.

Board member Larson stated that the function of the Board of Adjustment was to deal with any potential hardships that builders face in constructing new homes in the City and to determine whether or not variances should be individually approved as a result of those hardships. Further discussion ensued regarding the function of the Board. It was suggested that Board members become familiar with the ordinances related to Land Use and Building Codes in order to more effectively rule on requests submitted. Lappe noted that he had previously provided Board members with information concerning their function on the Board, as well as copies of ordinances relating to Land Use and Building Codes; however, a number of Board members indicated that did not currently have that information. Alderperson Gehringer volunteered his copy of the Code Book and P & Z Commission member Brinkman offered to make copies for the Board members to review.

Lappe then made a Motion, which was seconded, to approve the variance as requested on the proposed home at Crystal Drive and Grandview Drive. There was no further discussion and the Board members voted as follows: Sue Glarner – Nay; Barry Larson – Nay; Mary Jane Cusumano – Aye; Marianne Stuart – Nay; and Martin Long – Aye. Lappe noted the votes reflected three nays and two ayes, and announced that the variance request had been denied.

B. Selection of Chairperson for Board of Adjustment.

Lappe noted that the next item of business was to select a Chairperson for the Board. He asked if any Board members wanted to volunteer for the position and received no response. He noted that the Chairperson’s function was primarily to preside over the meetings and was not a complicated position. A discussion ensued and Barry Larson was nominated and approved to be Chairperson for the Board.

OLD BUSINESS

A. No report.

NEW BUSINESS

B. No report.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Board was scheduled for Thursday, September 7th.

VOTE TO CLOSE MEETING

A vote to close the meeting ensued and was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

MINUTES RECORDED BY:

______________________________________________

Lois A. LaDriere

ATTEST: