HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 BOCC Staff Report 04.11.1994BOCC 4/11/94
PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
REQUEST: Special Use Permit for a guest house
APPLICANT: Matthew Van Portfliet
LOCATION: A parcel of land described as Lot 10
of the Teller Springs Subdivision;
more practically described as a tract
located approximately six (6) miles
south of Glenwood Springs, off of
County Road 109.
SITE DATA: 7.096 acre site
WATER: Teller Springs Water System
SEWER: ISDS
ACCESS: County Road 109
EXISTING ZONING: A/R/RD
ADJACENT ZONING: A/R/RD
I_ RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The tract is in Comprehensive Plan Management District D; Rural Areas/Moderate
Environmental Constraints as designated on the Garfield County Comprehensive Plan
Management Districts map.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL
A. Site Description: The parcel in question is a 7.096 acre tract within the Teller
Springs subdivision. Presently, there is a garage/barn with an attached 960 sq.
ft. dwelling unit on the lot..
B. Description of the Proposal: The applicant is proposing to use the previously
noted dwelling unit attached to the garage/barn as a guest house. A larger single
family dwelling unit will be built as the primary residence on the lot. Both
dwelling units will be utilizing an individual sewage disposal system. Water will
be supplied by the Teller Springs subdivision water system. Access will be from
an access easement off of County Road 109.
III. MAJOR ISSUES AND CONCERNS
A. Zoning: A guest house is allowed by Special Use permit in the A/R/RD zone
district. Section 5.03.025 establishes the following standards for a guest house:
1. The gross floor area or area used for residential occupancy shall not
exceed one thousand (1000) square feet.
2. The minimum lot size shall be fifty percent (50%) larger than the
minimum required for a residential use in the same zone district; and
3. The length of stay of a guest shall be limited to thirty (30) days, unless
said guests are the grandparents, parents, siblings or children of the
occupants of the primary structure.
The applicant has not stated the purpose of the guest house, other than as a result of a
discussion with the Board on 12/13/93 regarding a "caretakers" house. The applicant's original
building permit stated that he intended to build a "barn with caretaker apartment over top" (see
page ' • ). The same permit application was reviewed and approved with the
statement "this is approved as a Single Family dwelling, not as a guest house or a caretaker
unit". Subsequently, the Building Department did issue a Certificate of Occupancy for a "barn
with a caretaker apartment". This was issued without the legal authority to do so and as a
result, a letter was written to the applicant clarifying the issue (see pag' Si • ).
This application complies with the basic zoning requirements in terms of the size of the guest
house and the minimum acreage required to qualify for a guest house.
B. Water: It is proposed to use the Teller Springs water system to supply water.
The system was approved as a part of a water augmentation plan. The
augmentation plan was approved for up to 21 single family dwellings and does
not include any guest houses or other type of accessory dwelling. According to
Dwight Whitehead, Division of Water Resources, it will be necessary for the
Teller Springs Homeowner's Association to amend the decree contained in
Augmentation Plan 90CW267, to allow for additional dwellings. Mr.
Whitehead said that there may be enough water to physically meet the water
needs for the subdivision, if the augmentation plan can be amended.
It appears that the system may have some limitations in terms of engineering
design. Any approval of a guest house needs to be contingent upon a registered
engineer certifying that the water system as designed can provide enough water
for 21 principal dwellings and 21 guest houses. Or, if that statement cannot be
made, the engineer needs to provide design modifications to the system that will
meet physical supply requirements and the Homeowner's Association will have
to guarantee that the improvements will be made to the system.
C. Use: The applicant has not really specified his intended use of the property. As
noted previously, a "caretakers" unit was originally anticipated. That seems to
imply longer term residence by a guest, than the 30 days allowed by the zoning
resolution, for people other than the owner's grandparents, parents, siblings or
children. Any approval should make it very clear that the guests are to be
nonpaying and not allowed to stay more than 30 days in one calendar year.
IV. SUGGESTED FINDINGS
1. That the public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners was
extensive and complete, that all pertinent facts, matters and issues were
submitted and that all parties were heard at the meeting.
2. That the proposed special use conforms to the application requirements of the
Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended.
40 411b
3. That the proposed land use will be compatible with existing and permitted land
uses in all directions if appropriate conditions are attached to the permit.
4. That the proposed use will comply with all applicable standards contained in the
Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended.
5. That for the above stated and other reasons, the proposed special use is
consistent with the best interests of the health, safety, morals, convenience,
order, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of Garfield County.
V. RECOMMENDATION
APPROVAL of the proposed guest house Special Use permit, subject to the following
conditions of approval:
1. That the length of stay of a guest shall be limited to 30 days in any one
calendar year and that the guest house will not be used as a rental unit.
2. Th prior o issuance • ' the Gu
plica obtain fro ' he Telle
cop .fan ame - d water
p ary dwe g units
House •ecial Use ermit, t►
prings H • eowner's ssociati. , a
gmentati • plan tha lows fo - the 21
d 21 guest ► • uses/acce ory dwe • g units.
3. That prior to issuance t ee RRr, • :
provide a letter fromxregtserecrp o 1 engineer to the Cunt ,
certifying that the existing water system ci meet the 1
requirements for 21 primary dwelling units andxi