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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 BOA Staff Report 01.27.2003Exhibits for Johnson Variance Public Hearing held on January 27, 2003
Please Note: Bring all of the Application materials you
received for the December 9th hearing which was
cancelled for this hearing.
4
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A
Building Permit Application dated 5/19/82
B
Building Permit Issued on June 9, 1982
C
Letter from BLM to Ms. Tester dated October 22, 2002
D
Staff Memorandum
E
Mail Receipts & Proof of Publication (Submitted at hearing)
F
Garfield County Comprehensive Plan of 2000
G
Original Application submitted by Applicant
H
Garfield County Zoning Regulations of 1978 as amended
I
Letter from George & Mary Kirkham dated 12/28/02
J
Letter from James Pitts dated 12/9/02
K
Letter from Larry and Barbara Fluer dated 12/5/02
L
Letter from Joan Kavanaugh dated 12/8/02
M
Letter from Ms. Tester to the Board of Adjustment dated 12/5/02
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ItILDING PERMIT APPLICATION
GARFIELD COUNTY BUILDING AND SANITATION DEPARTMENT
2014 Blake Avenue
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
945-8241 / 625-3321
Owner:
Contractor or Builder 016«s
Location: Q / Ori` 1/ ,ret
Purpose for which building is to be used •
Size of Lot •
Distance of building from property line at
Front: 930 i Rear:
Distance from nearest building: 1_00`.—
Source
70`. -
Source of water supply r� i C 'LL -
EXHIBIT
A
Garfield County, Colorado, .71 9
,19&2 -
Type of sewage disposal:" P LC
Width of building:_ 7zL4. it L4:@P` ox-iO('�.-•A'i��
Length of building: __ -D"
Height of walls: 11
Floor space in squa a feet • 4m O Lt —
Estimated value
11
Left Side: g00 --4n}( Right Side• .01) AAFRDX
Number of stories: aSPL IT G L
Number of rooms•
Type of foundation:
Material in outside walls: 2 X 15 .-'1) fik - t
', `� Exterior finish- + �1 � ', I�i�'
Type of roof: I i3CaAQ to - J --
Date construction will begin: S.-
7-4
Date of completion
Permit charge: $ 2- 677 d
Plan check fee: $ 3 ` ,J -CD
TOTAL: $ / 47 0
And I/We hereby agree to build strictly to the terms of the above description, and also to clear the grounds and
adjacent street or streets of all rubbish and debris caused by the construction of said building.
Respectfully;-
C�-
s
The County Commissioners hereby grant the above permit as per terms therein stated. This
day of
BUILDING OFFICIAL
N! CC2622
GARFIELD COUNTY BUILDING AND SANITATION DEPARTMENT
2014 Blake Avenue
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 31601
(303) 945.8241 / (303) 525-3321
Job Address 0475 COunty Road 112
Nature of Work Building Permit
Use of Building Residential - Addition
Owner E.A. Schumacher
Contractor owner
Amount of Permit: $ 190.50 Date• Jsne 9' 1982
Ellen L. Ricks, Clark
iN REPLY REFER TO.
9230
CO -140
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Glenwood Springs Resource Area
50629 Highway 6 and 24
P.O. Box 1009
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602
October 22, 2002
Ms. Cynthia Tester
BEATTIE & CHADWICK
710 Cooper .Avenue, Suite 200
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Dear Ms. Tester:
EXHIBIT
RECEIVED
OCT 2 9 2002
GARFIELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
As l of a: you and and thefield
d
1�}Q a result our discussions with your client recent 1. L1C14
visit, the Bureau of Land Management(ELM) has no objection with the setback
variance application for Mr. Arvid Johnson. Since this situation deals with
an existing structure and will actually provide the opportunity to correct an
encroachment associated with the retaining wall, we support the variance as
the most logical solution and least costly to all parties involved.
Other alternatives we discussed would be time consuming and costly to both the
ELM and Mr. Johnson. They may also not be supported through our public
process and could be controversial.
We hope the County looks favorably on your application and if we can be of
further assistance with that request please let us know.
Si.cerely,
cc: Andy Schwaller, Garfield County
cs-(16-1..4.-47tN7--
Steve G. Bennett
Acting Field Manager
PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
REQUEST:
APPLICANT:
PROPERTY LOCATION:
Variance from Rear Yard Setback
The H. Arvid Johnson Revocable Trust
(hereinafter "Trust")
A portion of the NW 1/4 of the SW 1/4,
Section 23, Township 7 South, Range 88West
of the Sixth P. M., County of Garfield, State
of Colorado
PRACTICAL LOCATION: 475 County Road 112, Carbondale,
Colorado
EXISTING ZONING: A/R/RD
I. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY
The property consists of approximately 12 acres in size and is located northeast of Carbondale in
the Missouri Heights area off of County Road 112. It is surrounded mostly by Bureau of Land
') Management (BLM) forest land. The property is characterized as containing old juniper and pinyon
1 pines, sage brush, and scrub oak. The property contains a single-family residence and a hexagon
shaped shop building. It is the single-family dwelling that is the subject of this variance_
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUESTED VARIANCE
The Applicant is currently in the process of remodeling the existing single-family dwelling on the
property. As part of this remodel, the Applicant would like to expand a rear portion of the dwelling
to remedy foundation problems and design issues from its current design_ Because the existing
dwelling is considered a legal non -conforming structure, the Applicant would be able to remodel
any portion of the structure within its current footprint, but would not be allowed to increase the
existing non -conformity by further expanding into the rear setback. Therefore, the Applicant has
requested the Board of Adjustment (BOA) to consider a variance request which would allow the
Applicant to expand the non -conforming structure into the 25 foot rear yard setback by
approximately 7 feet.
III. PROPERTY HISTORY
The subject lot was created from Parcel B of the Bearwald Exemption Plat. The Pabst Family built
the original single-family dwelling in 1978. Staff was unable to locate any approved building
permits for this structure. The Pabst Family sold the property to the Schumacher Family in May of
1982. The Schumacher Family added an addition to the residence in 1982. (The approved Building
Permit Application and Permit are included as Exhibits A and B.) The Schumacher Family sold the
property to the Trust in April of 2002. The Trust is the current owner of the property requesting the
variance described above.
IV. STAFF COMMENTS
It is important to consider the events which took place regarding the construction of the dwelling
and the rear lot line to fully understand the issues surrounding the requested variance. Staff has
provided a succinct outline and brief discussion of these events below for the BOA's consideration.
1) The original house constructed by the Pabst Family in 1978 was based on the understanding that
the rear lot line was a good distance from the house. Again, Staff was unable to locate any
approved building permits for this original structure; and
2) The Schumacher Family purchased the house in 1982; and
3) The Schumacher Family constructed an addition to the house in 1982 which included a living
room, breakfast nook, and greenhouse which was permitted by Garfield County Building &
Planning Department. The building permit approved the addition which specifically indicated
the addition would be located 13 feet and 4.5 inches from the rear property line. (See Exhibits A
and B.)
4) The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the adjacent property owner to the rear of the
property, resurveyed all their properties in 1986 which revealed the single-family dwelling on
the subject property was approximately 12.5 feet from their property line and that a set of
exterior stairs and wood retaining walls were located on BLM property. Ultimately, the BLM
resurvey proved the lot line is actually located approximately 1 foot closer to the residence than
previously determined in 1982 as part of the building permit process for the construction of the
addition; and
5) The Schumacher Family sold the property to the Trust in 1982 who had Scarrow & Walker, Inc
conduct an Improvement Survey on 3/25/02 (included in the application) which confirmed the
BLM's resurveyed lines showing the single-family dwelling on the subject property was
approximately 12.5 feet from their property line and that a set of exterior stairs and wood
retaining walls are located on BLM property; and
6) Lastly, the Trust purchased the property from the Schumacher Family and wishes to expand the
non -conforming use.
Photo A
This photo shows the rear wall
of the original dwelling which
is located 12.5 feet from the
rear lot line (to the left). The
left half of the stairs in the
photo is on BLM land.
Addition to House
It is clear; the construction of the addition completed in 1982 by the Schumacher Family was based
on a rear lot line established by a surveyor/ engineer at the time showing the rear lot line to be 13
feet and 4.5 inches from the newly constructed addition. This is specifically indicated on the
building permit issued by the Building and Planning Department on June 8th, 1982 (see ExhibitA).
The County's zoning regulations were in place at the time requiring residential rear yard setbacks
to be a minimum of 25 feet. Therefore it remains unclear as to how the addition was approved
within the 25 foot setback. Nonetheless, as a result, the County approved the addition; however, by
such action, the structure was then established as a legal non -conforming structure because it
approved as being located in the rear yard setback (13 feet and 4.5 inches from the rear lot line to
be exact).
BLM Survey in 1986
The BLM (the property to the rear of the subject property) resurveyed their property lines which
resulted in a new lot line location. It showed the rear lot line to be 12.5 feet behind the subject
residence rather the 13 feet and 4.5 inches once thought based on the 1982 building permit
approved by Garfield County. Therefore the BLM survey showed a variation of approximately 1
foot closer to the house. It also determined a portion of the steps and retaining walls associated
with the subject dwelling are located on BLM property.
It should be noted; the Applicant attempted a land swap with the BLM in order to avoid a variance
request to the County. In effect, a land swap would place the rear lot line at least 25 feet from the
residence so that a variance request would not be needed to accomplish the expansion. However,
the BLM believed this land swap for such a small piece of property (0.51 acres) would be too
costly and was not realized. The BLM did submit a letter to this effect and indicated support for the
variance request (See Exhibit C).
Conclusion.
Ultimately, Staff believes the events and discussion mentioned above accomplish two things. First,
it is clear, at the time the addition was approved in 1982, it was based on a lot line that was 13 feet
and 4.5 inches from the structure (with the addition) as indicated on the building peiinit. Second, it
demonstrates that due to the building permit approval granted by the Garfield County Building and
Planning Department in 1982 for the addition, the structure became a legal non -conforming
structure given the current zoning in effect at the time which has remained unchanged today.
More importantly, Section 9.05.03 of the Zoning Resolution discusses what constitutes the
granting of a variance in Garfield County. Specifically, the granting of a variance should be mainly
due to the following:
1) By reason of exceptional narrowness, shallowness or shape ofthe specific piece ofproperty
at the time of enactment of this Resolution; or
2) By reason of exceptional topographic conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional
situation or condition of such piece of property.
3
Upon a site visit to the Applicant's property, Staff finds the property is not exceptionally narrow,
shallow or configured in a peculiar shape. As indicated by the survey, the property is relatively
rectangular in shape and contains approximately 12 acres. Of the entire 12 acres, the residence is
located on the very southerly property line. Further, upon review of the area immediately
surrounding the residence, there are no exceptional topographic conditions or other extraordinary
and exceptional conditions of the property to force the Applicant to expand further into the rear
setback. The site contains mildly undulating topography except for the area directly behind the
house which falls off to the south into BLM land and a ditch. As a result, Staff does not believe
that a hardship is evident based on site constraints.
V. STAFF COMMENTS & REVIEW STANDARDS
Review Standards:
In order for the Board of Adjustment to grant a variance, they must find the Applicant has satisfied
the four main criteria or standards provided in Section 9.05 of the Zoning Resolution.
1. That the variance granted is the minimum necessary to alleviate such practical difficulties or
undue hardship upon the owner of said property;
Staff Finding
Because the existing structure is a legal non -conforming structure already, Staff finds that the
Applicant may remodel all of the structure as long as the portions of the structure that are located
within the 25 foot setback are not expanded. The Applicant believes the zigzag wall cannot be
reconstructed safely. Staff does not agree. There are many options outlined above that could all be
accomplished with a properly designed foundation_ Specifically,
1) The Applicant may reconstruct the zigzag foundation and wall exactly in the same footprint as
it was originally located prior to its demolition thereby not expanding the non -conforming
structure and no need for a variance.
2) The Applicant could build a flat wall rather than a "zigzag" wall that is in the general location
of the "zigzag" wall but doesn't increase the non -conformity thereby not expanding the non-
conforming structure and no need for a variance.
3) The Applicant could simply eliminate the "zigzag" portion of the house altogether and fill in
the walls of the house as it sits today with the "zigzag" portion demolished thereby not
expanding the non -conforming structure and no need for a variance.
4
4) The Applicant could expand outward on virtually all other side of the house without expanding
the non -conforming structure and therefore eliminate the need for a variance.
All of these options could presumably be defined as alleviations to practical difficulties as
mentioned in the standard without the need to expand further into the rear yard setback. A poor
foundation and poor design do not merit the provision of a variance to allow an expansion of a non-
conformity given the aforementioned. Staff finds this standard has not been met.
2. That such relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without
substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the General Plan or this Resolution;
Staff Finding
Staff finds the requested variance represents a detriment to the public good and impairs the intent
and purpose of this Resolution. The Applicant is creating their need for a variance. The Applicant
purchased the property and knew the location of the dwelling in relation to the rear lot line based on
the survey prepared by Scarrow & Walker Inc. The dwelling (including the addition) has existed for
the last 20 years without the need for a variance to expand. Staff believes an expansion is not the
answer to fix a poor foundation which has already been demolished at this point.
This request, if granted, would set a poor precedent for subsequent similar requests because how can
the BOA determine if small expansions are better than larger expansions and by how much? Where
does the BOA draw the line as to how much of an expansion is acceptable? This variance request, if
approved, will erode the authority of the BOA as well as the zoning regulations that serve to guide
development in the county for the benefit of the public good. Staff remains unconvinced a denial of
this variance will cause undue hardship to the Applicant if they cannot construct their addition in a
"better" design. Staff finds this standard is not met.
3. That the circumstances found to constitute a hardship were not caused by the applicant, are
not due to or the result of general conditions in the district, and cannot be practically
corrected;
Staff Finding
Staff finds that the "hardship" and need for this variance is created entirely by the Applicant. As
pointed out in the application binder (Section H(1) Background), during the negotiations to purchase
the property, the Trust had a survey prepared by Scarrow & Walker Inc. (dated 3/25/02) which
showed the legal non -conforming status of the residence. Nevertheless, the Trust purchased the
property shortly thereafter.
As mentioned earlier, the dwelling has existed in its current location for the last 20 years, albeit as a
legal non -conforming structure, and has not required the provision of a variance to continue its
location. There are a variety of options available to the Applicant to remedy a "poor and unsafe
foundation" and poor aesthetic design that do not require a variance. While these issues are may be
important to the Applicant in a preferred house design, they are not issues related to the discussion of
what determines a hardship. Staff finds the Applicant can rebuild the existing footprint of the
5
"zigzagged" wall to its original footprint with a solid foundation. As to the preferred design and its
aesthetic appeal, architectural preferences do not constitute hardship. Simply because the Applicant
prefers a different design for functional or aesthetic reasons, they are not reasons by which cases for
hardship are measured or determined.
Ultimately, Staff finds this hardship is created solely by the Applicant's request to expand the
structure further into the setback. Staff finds the Applicant has caused the need for the hardship and
therefore this standard is not met.
4. That the concurring vote of four (4) members of the Board shall be necessary to decide in
favor of the appellant
Staff Finding
As stated in the criterion listed above, in order for the Board to approve the variance request, there
needs to be at least 4 concurring voting members. This shall be determined at the public hearing.
VI. STAFF RECOMMENDED FINDINGS
1. That proper posting and public notice was provided as required for the meeting before the
Board of Adjustment.
2. That the meeting before the Board of Adjustment was extensive and complete, that all pertinent
facts, matters and issues were submitted and that all interested parties were heard at that
meeting.
3. That for the above stated and other reasons, the proposed setback variance has been det-imined
not to be in the best interest of the health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and
welfare of the citizens of Garfield County.
VII. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Board of Adjustment DENY the variance request.
6
RECEIVED
JAN 0 6 2003
GARFIELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
GEORGE D. KIRKHAM
0483 COUNTY ROAD 112, P. 0. Box 235
CAREONDALE,COLORADO 81623
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 Eighth Street
Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
December 28, 2002
Re: 0475 County Road 112 Public Notice for Variance in
Set Back Requirements
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As neighbors of Arvid and Janet Johnson, we urge you to grant
this very reasonable request for a variance.
Set back requirements make sense in urban and suburban areas.
They make very little sense in most rural areas involving
large parcels of land. In this particular case the house in
question cannot be seen by any neighbor. The variance is
needed to keep the cost of remodeling reasonable, and the re-
modeling will only improve a once-delapidated house.
Please, let's not Aspenize Garfield County.
Sincerely,
AL/„., ---
George D. Kirkham
Mary T. Kirkham
December 9, 2002
RECEIVED
fEc 1 1 2002
GARFlELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 8th Street
Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: 475 County Road 112
Public Notice / Variance from setback
To whom it may concern:
I reside at 485 County Road 112 and have reviewed the remodel improvements
proposed by Mr. Arvid Johnson at the above referenced address.
understand that Mr. Johnson is proposing to remodel within the 25 -foot
minimum rear setback located on the south side of his building envelope.
After conversation with Mr. Johnson about design and size of the structure in the
setback, 1 have no concerns.
Mr. Johnson has taken great steps towards improvements to this property and
thus enhances not only the said property but also the neighborhood as a whole.
support Mr. Johnson's proposal.
Respectfully,
. .
James R. Pitts
485 County Road 112
_Carbondale, CO 81623
Cc: Mr. Arvid Johnson
Larry & Barbara Fluer
2550 Niderer Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
805 237 2392
December 5, 2002
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 8th St.
Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
RECEIVED
DEC 2002
GARFIELD COUNTY
BOLDING & PLANNING
Re: 475 County Road 112, Carbondale, CO; Public Notice re variance from setback
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is written in response to the receipt of a public notice announcing a hearing on
an application for variance by the property owner of the above referenced parcel. The
hearing is scheduled on December 9, 2002.
We are adjacent property owners of property located at 0477 County Road 112,
Carbondale, CO. We are familiar with the property at 0475 County Road 112, having
lived on adjacent property for a number of years.
It is our understanding from the public notice, and from conversation with the applicant,
Mr. Arvid Johnson that a remodel of a portion of the existing primary residence located
on 0475 County Road 112 has been proposed. The remodel will involve construction
within the 25 -foot minimum rear yard setback on the south side of the building.
The area of the property where the improvements will occur has no negative impact on
our property of which we are aware, and the area where the construction will occur is in
closest proximity to public land being managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
The improvements described by Mr. Johnson will serve to protect the investment of
neighboring property owners as a long-standing existing structure is being maintained
thereby contributing to the overall welfare of the community and the public good. We
encourage the board to affirm the application for variance so that the needed
improvements can be constructed as proposed. Thank you for the notification and
solicitation for public comment.
Larry Fluer
Cc: Mr. Arvid Johnson
Barbara Fluer
c J v
Joan Kavanaugh
482 Mesa Verde Avenue
Carbondale, CO 81623
963-1542
Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 8th Street Suite 20
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
December 8, 2002
Dear Chairman and Members of the Board of Zoning Adjustment,
Please ignore the consent letter 1 drafted on behalf of Kimiko Powers dated December
6th_ Due to a misunderstanding, and without appropriate authority, i stated no
objections to the yard setback of Arvid Johnson. However, 1 had no information and
inadvertently faxed a sample letter. My fault.
Sorry for the inconvenience. The original letter, therefore, has no official effect.
Sincerely,
Joan Kavanaugh
STEVEN M. BEATTIE
GLENN D. CHADWICK
CYNTHIA C. TESTER
MITCHELL S. RANDALL
Peter M. Cabrinha
4350 County Road 115
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Leo Jammaron
4915 Highway 82
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Brad Jordan
P.O. Box 1031
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602
Steven J. Boat
P.O. Box 1989
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602
Tom Morton
14878 County Road 117
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Mark Bean
Building and Planning Director
108 8th Street, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
HAND DELIVERED
BEATTIE & CHADWICK
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
932 COOPER AVENUE
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO 81601
December 5, 2002
3
EXHIBIT
TELEPHONE (970) 945-8659
FAX (970) 945-8671
Andy Schwaller
Building and Planning
Chief Building Official
108 8th Street, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
HAND DELIVERED
Fred Jarman
Building and Planning
Senior Planner
108 8th Street, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
HAND DELIVERED
Don DeFord
Garfield County Attorney
108 8th Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
HAND DELIVERED
Re: The H. Arvid Johnson Revocable Trust, H. Arvid Johnson Trustee, UTA 21590;
Rear Yard Setback Variance application, to Garfield County Code Sections
3.02.06(2) and 9.05.
Dear Chairman of the Board of Zoning Adjustment and Members of the Board,
First, please accept my apologies for sending you this memorandum under separate cover
from that of the Board of Zoning Adjustment packet. There was a miscommunication as to the
packet deadline for submittals to the Board of Adjustment for the upcoming December 9, 2002
hearing. Due to the miscommunication, I discovered that the packets had already been prepared
and sealed, ready to be sent to you all before I could include this document in the packet as well.
I needed to get this letter to you. Thus, I am sending it under separate cover with the explicit
understanding that it has also been previously hand delivered to Don DeFord, Mark Bean, Fred
Jarman, and Andy Schwaller before it was put in the mail to you.
As you may have gathered, I represent Mr. Arvid Johnson on behalf of the trust
referenced above. This Ietter is a supplement to the Johnson trust variance application. The
Applicant seeks a variance from the County's 25' rear yard setback requirements by (7) feet.
The Applicant and I have reviewed the Staff memorandum concerning this variance
application and would like to offer the following points, first from a general, common sense
standpoint, and second, looking at the variance standards and the Code.
Johnson
December 5, 2002
Page 2 of 7
I. Factual and General Common Sense Issues
• The only party that would be in any way affected by this variance is the BLM, as
this parcel of land is located out in the woods, adjacent to BLM forest. The BLM has
given its express written affirmation to the Board that it is in favor of granting the
variance.
• Generally speaking, the purpose of the rear yard setback is to provide for light and
air access, access for adjoining landowners, emergency personnel, and possibly utility
operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement. None of these purposes are relevant to
the subject site or the variance request. This is not a planned unit development or
subdivision where consistent enforcement of rear yard setback issues would be relevant.
It is important, to remember what the very purposes for setbacks are — to provide a buffer
from structures relative to other structures. That is not the situation here.
• The Applicant had no intention to add an addition to the home until they were
confronted with the reality that the "zigzag" configuration and the foundation problems
associated with this configuration were absolutely beyond repair. The Applicant soon
discovered that to replicate its seven (7) corners to solve the foundation problems was
ridiculous and not feasible. Instead, the Applicant was advised by construction personnel
that a rectangular shape would be simpler to build and would be inherently stronger.
The aesthetics of the "zigzag" are arguably unique and creative and not in any
way aesthetically inferior to Applicant's proposed rectangle. The Applicant was never
concerned about the back of the house, where the proposed addition will always be
overshadowed by the dominant living room and which is not visible to the general public.
• The Applicant is not a land developer seeking to negate the rules applicable
to all. The Applicant is simply trying to remedy a problem in a practical, non -intrusive
way. In fact, the Applicant could have chosen a different approach through seeking to
extend the line from the existing living room all the way across to the edge of the house
as it stands today, not just to "square up" the zigzag. Such an application would have
nearly tripled the proposed variance request up to at least 1200 square feet, creating a
much larger addition. The Applicant did not seek to do so, however. This comports with
one of the variance requirements that the Applicant must attempt to do that which is as
minimally impactive as possible.
• The existing zigzag addition itself did not encroach at all into the 25' rear yard
setback. The addition beyond that (which is a small breakfast nook) was approximately
18' feet from the now known boundary line. The proposed addition, by running straight
from the furthermost corner of the zigzag to square up the space would still be only 18'
from the rear yard lot line — a mere variance of seven (7) feet from the lot line. There
would be no further encroachment into the setback, only a rectangle continuing along the
same Iine.
• When the Applicant's bought the house, they did not know the extent of the
problems with the zigzag, and had fully expected to repair and not replace.
Johnson
December 5, 2002
Page 3 of 7
• Before the property was purchased by the Applicant, the Applicant retained a
building inspector to inspect the building. The inspector pointed out a line of cracked tile
in the breakfast area. This area had been constructed with a "zigzag" design to create a
breakfast nook and interior greenhouse by the former owner in the early 1980's. The
inspector suggested a "fix", essentially to remove the tile and float a new surface on the
floor to even out the sub -surface and then re-lay tile, or alternatively, lay a wood floor.
But, he warned that the foundation of the zigzag addition might be compromised by poor
construction or poor soils conditions.
• When the purchase was completed, the Applicant knew that the zigzag in the rear
of the house needed to be repaired. There was no intention to do anything more than
repair the existing construction. However, after consultation with the architect,
contractor, and his soil and structural engineer, it was made clear to the Applicant that
improper compaction, substandard soil and, just as importantly, the basic zigzag design,
all contributed to a failure of the area. The various corners of the roof had leaked, the
floor slab had a major fault line, and related cracks, doors, and windows were difficult to
operate because the walls were out of plumb. The problems were much more severe than
anticipated, and to merely "patch and repair" could not eliminate the inherent flaw in the
design and execution of the zigzag construction.
• The Applicant fully expected to repair the zigzag addition, not tear it down. The
Applicant had not budgeted for a completely new addition. The only solution was to
begin over. That meant tearing off the addition, bringing in adequate soil for purpose of
compaction and adding appropriate footers and a foundation. As a result of the various
discussions of the problems, the idea was advanced to reconstruct the breakfast addition
in a simple rectangle shape, tying it in to the living room at the same point and simply
extending the line to make a rectangle. This design would eliminate the 7 corners
involved in the original zigzag construction, and would result in superior structural
integrity.
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The addition is in the back of the house. A
truly beautiful, architectural award winning design would be overshadowed by the
dominant living room and by the natural beauty of Mt. Sopris and the surrounding
woods. The Staff's suggestion is factually inaccurate, gratuitous and does not make any
sense.
H. Garfield County Code and Variance Standard Issues
The Applicant and myself take issue with many of the assumptions and statements
made by Staff concerning this application. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we would like the
opportunity to give you the rest of the story.
My client and I were somewhat amazed at Staffs comments and personal
philosophical, rhetorical questions. This is not a 300 unit development whereby a developer is
asking for some large variance that would greatly impact the public and the citizenry of the
County. To say that Staff is "making a mountain out of a molehill" is an understatement.
Johnson
December 5, 2002
Page 4 of 7
Staff takes the position that the only reason that the Applicant truly wants to apply for
this variance, is so that the Applicant can create a more visually aesthetic and "pretty" home.
That is absolutely untrue. There is certainly a component related to the "Construction Design
Remedy" as is referenced in the submittal, but that issue is the "tail that wags the dog" when it
comes to the remediation of the construction defects.
At the time the Applicant purchased the property this past year, the thought never crossed
the Applicant's mind that they were going to buy the property, then march in before the Board of
Adjustment and demand an expansion of a nonconforming use, as Staff repeatedly implies. In
fact the opposite is true in that the Applicant and the builder met with Andy SchwalIer, of the
Building Department, prior to submitting this variance application. The purpose of this meeting
with Andy was to discuss how this problem could be solved absent any formal administrative
action. It seemed at the time that this area could actually be viewed as the side yard and not the
rear yard, in which case, there should be no problem. It was then that Andy advised the
Applicant that there was no way around a variance procedure as the County did indeed view this
area as the rear yard. Then Andy told the Applicant that a variance procedure was the way to go
and provided the Applicant with the necessary forms. Andy stated that he was aware of the
property and seemed very receptive and supportive of this application. In fact, Andy even
advised the Applicant that of all of the variance applications "that come through the door," that
this application seemed to have the most merit and had the most equity of any he had seen.
Prior to the meeting with Andy, the Applicant spent thousands of dollars and several
months working with the BLM (who wholly supports this variance request) to try to obtain a
land swap. The proposal with the BLM was that the BLM would trade .51 acres of its land
located directly in front of the subject property in exchange for the Johnson's deeding the BLM
.51 acres of their land. Unfortunately, all parties soon came to understand that this would not be
a cost beneficial approach for the BLM or the Applicants, in that it would take possibly years to
effectuate. The BLM has engaged in land swaps, but more in the range of thousands of acres
being exchanged, rather than .51 acres. Thus, instead, the BLM recommended that given the
circumstances (especially given the fact that when the home was originally constructed in 1978
and the addition was constructed in 1982, the BLM boundaries were not in any way adequately
defined), that a variance request would be the best way to go. It was not until 1986 that the BLM
then came in and resurveyed the entire area. In 1986 the BLM, through its resurveying efforts,
discovered that its lot line was far closer to the Applicant's property than was previously thought
to be the case.
These were all assumptions that the Applicant, the BLM, and Andy Schwaller were
operating under when this variance request was initially processed. Just recently, for the first
time, did Staff produce a document (despite requests for copies of the file well in advance of any
variance request), and now make a point that the rear lot line behind the subject residence was
12.5 feet.
Staff also acknowledges that at the time that the initial addition was approved in 1982, it
was an act based upon an assumption that the rear lot line was 13 feet 4.5 inches from the
structure (with the addition). Staff further acknowledges that the County zoning regulations in
1982 required residential rear yard setbacks to be a minimum of 25 feet. Yet the owner at that
time did not apply for a variance for the 1982 addition. They simply submitted an application
and a Building Perrnit was issued for that addition. All the Applicant seeks to do today is to
"square up" that faulty constructed addition by getting rid of the exterior "zigzag" configuration
to allow for a more stable foundation.
Johnson
December 5, 2002
Page 5 of 7
With respect to the review standards, the Applicant offers the following:
1. That the variance granted is the minimum necessary to alleviate
practical difficulties or undue hardship upon the owner of said
property.
Staff focuses on its belief that somehow the Applicant created the "undue hardship".
Staff wholly ignores that a variance may be granted as far as is minimally necessary to alleviate
practical difficulties as well. I have described the practical difficulties at length above as well as
in the submittal. A poor foundation and poor design not created by the Applicant, in fact, do
result in an undue hardship today as well as definite practical difficulties. The remodel as
proposed and as is the subject of the variance request cannot be accomplished in the "zigzag"
configuration, as Staff would have the board believe. The Applicant will just end up with the
same type of problems it is now facing today, just a few years down the road.
2. That such relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the
public good and without substantially impairing the intent and
purpose of the general plan or this resolution.
With all due respect to Staff, the slippery slope arguments as to how approval of this
miniscule variance application will somehow cause substantial detriment to the public good and
would substantially impair the intent and purpose of the general plan or this resolution are
wholly without merit. Variances should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis taking specific
facts and circumstances into consideration as presented to the Board. Staff would argue that if
this variance is approved, that somehow the entirety of Garfield County and all of its residents
would be greatly harmed and suffer immeasurably. In fact the opposite is true. This is an
extremely unique situation. We have issues concerning questionable BLM boundary lines,
building permits that were issued back in 1982 for additions that ostensibly were already
encroaching into the 25 foot rear yard setback, and most importantly, this variance request is
only for 7 -feet from the rear yard setback presently in existence to "square up" the "zigzag"
configuration. In other words, a few yards over from the "zigzag" configuration is the exterior
portion of the home, which is the living room. All the Applicant seeks to do is create an exterior
portion of the home that would match up with the exterior alignment of the living room just a
few yards away.
Further, Staff argues that the Applicant created this hardship by purchasing this property
knowing of the problems with the foundation. Staff also argues that the dwelling has existed in
its current location without repair for the last 20 years. This is true except that the Applicant was
not aware of the extent of the problems with the foundation. The Johnson's predecessor in
interest, Mr. Edelhard Schumacher, was an elderly man who had a stroke and was not able to
keep up with maintaining the home, nor did Mr. Schumacher have the funds to do so. Had he
had the funds and the ability to maintain the home, as told to me by his family, he would have
made the improvements to the home. Since he did not, the Applicant purchased the subject
property knowing that would have to make some repairs that Mr. Schumacher could not make.
Johnson
December 5, 2002
Page 6 of 7
3. That the circumstances found to constitute a hardship were not
caused by the Applicant, are not due to or the result of general
conditions in the District, and cannot be practically corrected.
The Applicant did not create this hardship contrary to Staff's opinion. As noted above,
there were many anomalies involving this property going back to 1978. The practical correction
is that which is contained in the variance application. The variance is not based upon any
general conditions in the District either.
The Applicant does, however, agree with Staff that preferred design and aesthetic appeal
should not come into play when it comes to applying for a variance based upon the Garfield
County Code. While the end result may provide the Applicant with a tangential added benefit of
an additional approximate 400 square feet of space that may be more "attractive" or "pretty" than
the "zigzag" design presently in place, that is not the focus of this submittal. In fact the "zigzag"
design is rather unique and exemplifies creative architecture. It is a pity that the design needs to
changed for safety reasons, but that is what the Applicant is told needs to be done from a health,
safety, and welfare standpoint.
As to the philosophical arguments, if an Applicant wishes to improve property to make it
safer and fall within the variance standards, should the application be denied because Staff does
not find that the "safety" reasons are strong or sufficient enough to support a variance? Who
decides the measure of health, safety, and welfare when this question must be based upon an
obvious subjective analysis of what it is that may need to be done to a structure to improve its
overall lifetime function for any homeowner? This application is not about who is deciding the
measure of beauty or "prettiness" of a structure. Also, Staff's analogy concerning a developer
who might want to build a building that is taller than what is allowed is completely misplaced.
We are not talking about remodeling a structure to exceed height limitations to improve,
aesthetic, beauty, or the exterior "prettiness" of this structure. We are also not talking about
trying to get anything in through the back door that we could not get in through the front. In
other words, Staff is suggesting that this variance request is solely based upon the desire by the
Applicant who allegedly deceitfully has created a hardship and then turns around and applies for
a variance to remediate that hardship — specifically focusing on aesthetic concerns. This
argument completely ignores the primary reason behind this variance request — to improve the
structural foundation of the existing single-family dwelling unit; to remediate the structural and
engineering problems that were inherent in the design and construction of the addition in 1982;
and to provide for a safer and more durable home that will not need to be continually repaired
due to foundation problems.
Please note that the Applicant did everything within their power, spending thousands of
dollars and hours of time in working with the BLM in trying to solve this problem prior to
approaching the Board of Adjustments. The BLM supports this variance application completely
as is evidenced by the letter from Steve Bennett from the BLM. Approval of this variance
application will not in any way impair or impact the public good, impair the intent and purpose
of the general plan or the variance resolution, and is submitted solely with an eye towards the
minimum necessary variance request to allow for a mere 7 foot variance from the rear yard
setback to allow for a 400 square foot remodel job that will "square up" the exterior of the home
and improve the safety of all concerned. Granting this variance request will also alleviate the
obvious practical difficulties the Applicant is facing through the most simplistic of measures.
Johnson
December 5, 2002
Page 7 of 7
Finally, as is stated above, approval of this variance request will simply allow the
Applicant to bring the exterior wall in question flush with the exterior wall already in place a few
yards away. This is not a big deal. At the board meeting we shall bring several photographs
depicting the property as it presently exists so that you can see for yourself how minimal this
application and this request really is.
On a final note, the Applicant and myself do respect the time and effort that Staff has put
into this request and do not by any means intend to diminish or degrade the work performed.
Obviously a lot of thought and effort went into this report. instead, it appears that Staff has been
just a bit overzealous and perhaps a bit misguided in interpreting the Code provisions as applied
to the facts of this specific variance request. We hope this clarifies the submittal before you
today. Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Cynthia C. Tester
Cc: Arvid Johnson
BEATTIE & CHADWICK
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
932 COOPER AVENUE
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Co 81 601
STEVEN M. BEAITIE
GLENN D. CHADWICK
CYNTHIA C. TESTER
MITCHELL 5. RANDALL
January 22, 2003
Garfield County Board of Adjustments
108 8th Street, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
HAND DELIVERED
a
EXHIBIT
TELEPHONE (970) 945-8659
FAX (970) 945-8671
RECyd`IVSD
JAN 2 2 2003
GARFIELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
Re: The H. Arvid Johnson Revocable Trust, H Arvid Johnson Trustee, UTA 21590;
Rear Yard Setback Variance application, to Garfield County Code Sections
3.02.06(2) and 9.05.
Dear Chairman of the Board of Zoning Adjustment and Members of the Board,
Before you tonight is a variance request, that if approved, would allow the applicant to
remodel an approximately 20 year old single family residence. Any such approval thus would
permit the encroachment approximately 7 feet into the 25 foot minimum rear yard setback. The
reasons for this request are explained in detail in the applicant's submittal tendered to you as well
as in the supplemental application provided to you after Staff gave you the initial report.
First, attached as Exhibit A to this letter is the proof of publication in both the Glenwood
Post Independent on December 10, 2002 and in the Citizen Telegram on December 6, 2002.
Second, attached as Exhibit B are the return receipt for the public notices sent to the
adjacent landowners and any other referral agencies.
Third, attached, as Exhibit C is a letter from Mr. Art Ackerman who writes in support of
the application. Attached, as Exhibit D is a letter from Mr. James R. Pitts, who writes in support
of this application. Attached, as Exhibit E is a letter from Mr. Steve Bennett of the BLM, who
writes in support of this application. Attached, as Exhibit F is a letter from Mr. and Mrs.
McElnea, who write in support of this application. Attached, as Exhibit G is a letter from Mr.
and Mrs. Austin Marquis who write in support of this application. Attached, as Exhibit H is a
letter from Mr. and Mrs. Larry Fluer, who write in support of this application. Attached, as
Exhibit 1. is a letter from Mr. A.R. Koeneke, who writes in support of this application. Attached,
as Exhibit J is a letter from Mr. John B. Stephenson, who writes in support of this application.
Attached, as Exhibit K is a letter from Mr. and Mrs. George Kirkham, who write in support of
this application. And finally, attached, as Exhibit L is a letter from The Double J Ranch, who
write m support of this application.
Fourth, as you know, this matter was previously scheduled for a hearing on December 9,
2002. Due to some confiision over publication Staff and myself decided it best to reschedule this
matter for January 27, 2003. In fact, the entire publication was performed accurately for the
hearing on December 9, 2003, yet our office simply did not receive the proof of publication back
from the requisite newspapers by the time of the hearing. I wanted to explain this to you so that
you would understand why it is that we are approaching you on January 27, 2003, rather than in
December.
In a way, however, the delay has proved helpful. 1 have had a chance to review a few
BOA decisions concerning variances granted and denied over the past few years, and each
appears to be approached as they should be on a case-by-case basis. Of course, a variance
application is a very fact specific land use application as we all know.
Jaivary 22, 2003
Page 2 of 2
I do not believe that it is necessary or productive for me to repeat all of the arguments
previously so stated as to why this variance should be approved. The bottom line, however, is
that this variance complies with the criteria set forth in Code section 9.05.03 in that (a) the
applicant is applying for is the minimum necessary to alleviate practical difficulties or undue
hardship; (b) that the relief granted would be granted without any substantial detriment (or any
detriment of any kind whatsoever for that matter) to the public good and would not substantially
or in any way impair the intent and purpose of the general plan or this resolution; (c) that the
circumstances the Board might find that would constitute a hardship were not caused by the
applicant and are not due to the result of the general conditions in the District and cannot
otherwise be practically corrected.
This Board faced a similar issue on September 23, 2002 with applicants Damon and
Amanda Wells. Staff had recommended denial of the variance application which was for a
variance from the minimum front yard setback of 3.1 feet. The Board reviewed the application
in detail, Iooked at policy considerations, addressed concerns of precedence, and spoke in detail
about the "human element". As Dr. Tom Morton noted at that meeting, "Government has a
human face." The Board made a motion to approve the variance unanimously in light of the
specific facts and circumstances at issue in that particular variance. See, Exhibit M, BOA
meeting minutes from September 23, 2002.
Similarly, on October 25, 1999, applicants Kass T. Burwell and Douglas J. Wight sought
a variance to allow for a single family home to encroach 15 feet into the rear yard setback and 5
feet into the side yard setback. Again, due to the particular conditions of the lot, including the
fact that a ditch bordered the rear of the property (as we have present in this case), the variance
was granted. Staff recommended approval of this variance subject to certain conditions, to
which the applicant agreed to comply. See, Exhibit N, BOA project information and Staff
comments dated October 25, 1999.
Next, on July 30, 2001, Ed Rosenberg submitted a variance request to build a garage
attached to his house which would leave a 3 foot distance between the garage and the property
line. The variance request sought relief from the side yard setback requirement of 10 feet. The
steepness of the back yard made building the garage in a different area impractical. Large trees
on the other side of the house protected the riverbanks from erosion, so removing to build the
garage would also be impractical. The applicant made several contacts to adjacent neighbors and
KN Energy and no one had any concerns with the proposal and in fact supported this proposal.
See, Exhibit 0, BOA meeting July 30, 2001, minutes.
The same issues are present in this case (as to the Rosenberg application) in that
topographically, the area adjacent to where to Johnsons need to remodel the exterior of the home
sloughs down towards the adjacent ditch, which is then bordered by a cliff that drops off
dramatically. onto BLM land. (BLM supports this application, as do all of the adjacent property
owners and neighbors in the Johason's area). As such for safety, functional utility, and sound
construction principles, the Johnsons applied for this variance.
Another similar circumstance occurred through the variance submitted by Phil Ambrose
and review held .on May 18, 1998. This proposed variance would place the west wall of an
addition approximately 4 feet from the rear property line. The applicant's engineer stated that
the encroachments were necessary to effectively repair a plumbing problem created by a broken
pipe in the existing bathroom. In the Ambrose variance application, Staff found that the lot was
an irregular shape and that the house was placed in the present location prior to the time certain
zoning regulations were in place. As such the home was a nonconforming use. Staff noted that
given the existing location of the house in relation to the property lines, it did not appear that any
remodel of the house could be accomplished without an additional encroachment into the setback
in question. Given the engineer's statement, it appeared that any repair of the bathroom would
2
January 22, 2003
Page 3 of 3
require an additional encroachment into the setback. Staff felt that the proposed variance was the
minimum necessary to allow for the repair, that there was no reasonable alternative to the
construction either. See, Exhibit P, Ambrose variance application.
In this case, as you are well aware, the applicant seeks to "square up" a 400 square foot
portion of what used to be the kitchen/pantry area that had started to slide and crack due to
improper soil compaction and construction measures used by the former owner in 1982. Staff
also recognizes that the building permit in 1982 was issued for the addition then constructed in
its exterior "zigzag" configuration. There seems to be some confusion as to why the County
issued a building permit in 1982 for this addition as Staff notes that the County was allegedly
apparently aware that there was some sort of encroachment into the rear yard setback at this
tune. What we know is that it was not until 1986 that the BLM did a resurvey of its boundary
lines where it became evident to all that the BLM boundary line adjacent to this particular home
was far closer than that which the BLM itself previously though.
Of course there are many other variance requests in which staff recommended denial and
the Board concurred. The main thrust of this correspondence is to provide you with similar
circumstances in which the Board approved a variance even over Staff recommendations to the
contrary.
Staff obviously has done a very thorough job in reviewing this application and Mr.
Jarman's efforts are to be commended. We understand that Mr. Jarman is simply doing his job
and is trying to apply the "letter of the law" to this application. As Dr. Morton has stated in the
past, however, the letter of law needs to blend with "government that has a human face". 1
would ask you on behalf of the applicant to take these considerations into account as you review
this variance submittal. Thank you.
cc: Arvid Johnson
3
Very truly yours,
Cynthia C. Tester
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RECEIVE DEC 1 6 2002
PROOF OF rubLat,rk- _ _
GLENWOOD SPRINGS POST INDEPEN DLA A
STATE OF COLORADO, 33778COUNTY OF GARFIELD. } ss '
1, :14e s r nes'-ere
do solemnly
swear that I am›6 1.Y�G .. 0 -Pr- of the
GLENWOOD SPRINGS POST INDEPENDENT; that the same is a
newspaper printed, in whole or in part, and published in the County of
Garfield, State of Colorado and has a general circulation therein; that said
newspaper has been published continuously and uninterruptedly in
said County of Garfield for a period more than fifty-two consecutive weeks
next prior to the first publication of the annexed legal notice or advertise-
ment; that said newspaper has been admitted to the United States mails as
a second-class matter under the provisions of the Act of March 3, 1879, or
any amendments thereof, and that said newspaper is a newspaper duly
qualified for publishing legal notices and advertisements within the mean-
ing of the laws of the State of Colorado.
That the annexed legal notice or advertisement was published in the reg-
ular and entire issue of every number of said newspaper for
the period of consecutive insertions; and that the first publication
of said notice was in the issue of said newspaper dated...'. . ICI
...
A.D., 20 c ^ , and the 1 nubfication f said notice was in the
issue of said newspaper dated.......... 1 - I c) A.D., 20... .1
In with s hereof I have hereunto s t y hand this
day of
A,1?"6
General Manager l Publish//i'r
Subscribed and sworn to before me, a nota u is in and for the County
of G fief State o Colorado. this day
of � A.D., 20 Crar
4oA
•
otary ' u ic
MY COMMON EXPIRES
07'1272005
enwood Springs, CO. 81601
6t1%.'a46JWwn16
.1AKt NVTIGE that Arvid Johnson. has *plied to
.,the Board:of Adjustment, GeriieSd.Cdunty State-ofh
Colorado, to requost,a variance from the.mlhtrrium
'Fear year setback:=reqiremept of;the`.
AgnculturatlResidenliallRural Densil '(NRIY.RD},
ions distrlct';in ponneclion with lhe; OSlov�irg de .
scribed property actuated in (he 14V, !y. qi Ga eid'
$ tato fCatotad4 la -wit_ ;.� r_ v _ 1 -
al Dedoiibtlon A p4ijtion of the NWii14 0! (hq
ci r¢epuonEzs' wrr'sehliq-8,"driltl-001ti9 E8'
W.06 Gglora o lz M oLnty o al_kdastaBi¢f j •
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
GLENWOOD SPRINGS POST INDEPENDENT
STATE OF COLORADO, r� 7
ss
COUNTY OF GARFIELD. I . 00010
swear that i am t t s c.F
do solemnly
of the
GLENWOOD SPRINGS POST INDEPENDENT; that the same is a
newspaper printed, in whole or in part, and published in the County of
Garfield, State of Colorado and has a general circulation therein; that said
newspaper has been published continuously and uninterruptedly in
said County of Garfield for a period more than fifty-two consecutive weeks
next prior to the first publication of the annexed legal notice or advertise-
ment; that said newspaper has been admitted to the United States mails as
a second-class matter under the provisions of the Act of March 3, 1879, or
any amendments thereof, and that said newspaper is a newspaper duly
qualified for publishing legal notices and advertisements within the mean-
ing of the laws of the State of Colorado.
That the annexed legal notice or advertisement was published in the reg-
ular and entire issue of every number of said newspaper for
the period of consecutive insertions; and that the first publication
of said notice was in the issue of said newspaper dated. N.? V
A.D., 20 D , and the last publication of said notice was in the
issue of said newspaper dated — A.D., 20..E
In witne s whereof 1 have hereunto s my hand this \::'
day of''"'' A.D., 20...
Subscribed and sworn to before me,
of Garfieejd,_State of C lorado. this
of ! VAC•+'
3—
. General Manager / Publisher
a notary public in and for the County
day
.A.D., 20.
l
flyyy M. BOUGHTER
NOTARY PUBLIC
STATE OF COLORADO
410tSornmtss on xpi es u 3112604
2014 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO. 81601
1'Yl
Notary Public
' -1
The Voice of Western Garfield County
132 East Third Street • Rifle, Colorado 81650
Phone: 970/625/3245
Fax: 970/625/3628
December 9, 2002
Dear GSPI Legal Notice Customer:
As some of you may know, Dawn Boughter, the legars and classified secretary at the Glenwood
Springs Post Independent (GSPI) has recently left our company to pursue other options. Until they find a
suitable person to replace her, I will be handling all of the Iegals for both the Glenwood Springs Post
Independent, and for The Citizen Telegram (Rifle). We appreciate your patience until that time.
My name is Jessica Stott, and 1 have been the office manager and legals and classified secretary
here at The Citizen Telegram for nearly two years. Prior to that, I was the office manager and classified
secretary at another one of our sister newspapers, The Bargain Hunter. I believe that my experience in
the legal notice department and my knowledge of the area and our newspapers will help me provide you
with accurate, informative and prompt customer service. I would like you to know that I am available for any
questions or concerns you may have at any time. You can contact me at (970)625-3245 ext. 100 Monday
through Friday from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, fax me at (970)625-3628 or via e-mail at
istott@citizentelegram.com. You can also stop by my office at 132 E. 3rd Street, Rifle, CO 81650
(this is also our mailing address).
I can accept legal notices that are faxed, snail -mailed or e-mailed to me at the above information. if
you prefer to e-mail your legal notice, then please put it in Microsoft Word format or cut and paste it into the
body of your email. Also, please remember to include your name, your company name and contact
information on ALL correspondence. If the legal notice needs to be billed to someone outside of your
company, please include this information as well.
As a reminder, the GSPI legal notices are published Monday through Friday. The deadlines are as
follows:
First Publication: Deadline:
Monday 10:00 AM Thursday
Tuesday 10:00 AM Friday
Wednesday 10:00 AM Monday
Thursday 10:00 AM Tuesday
Friday 10:00 AM Wednesday
Also, Proofs of Publication must be signed by a manager at the GSPI office in Glenwood Springs.
Since 1 live and work in Rifle, 1 will only be able to make it to Glenwood once or twice a week to get these
signed. If you need your Proof of Publication to be sent out as soon as your legal has
expired, please make a special note on your cover sheet or in your e-mail telling me
so! Otherwise, it may take a few days before [can send these out. I truly hope that this has not caused
arty inconveniences for you.
If you have any further questions, or need any assistance, please feel free to contact me at any
time. Thank you again for your patience and understanding.
Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
Sincerely,
essica Stott
Office Manager
Citizen Telegram
jstott@citizentelegram.com
PUBLIC NOTICE
TAKE NOTICE that Arvid Johnson has applied to the Board of Adjustment, GarAel.d County, State
of Colorado, to request a variance from the minimum rear year setback requirement of the
Agricultural / Residential / Rural Density (AJR/RD) zone district, in connection with the following
described property situated in the County of Garfield, State of Colorado; to -wit:
Legal Description: A portion of the NW 1/4 ofthe SW 1/4, Section. 23, Township 7 South, Range
88 West of the Sixth P. M., County of Garfield, State of Colorado
Practical Description: 475 County Road 112, Carbondale, Colorado.
The variance would allow the Applicant to rewodel an existing single-family residence to
encroach 7 feet into the 25' minimum rear yard set -back normally required in Section
3.02.06(2) of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution.
All persons affected by the proposed variance are invited to appear and state their views, protests or
support. If you can not appear personally at such hearing, then you are urged to state yourviews by
letter, as the Board of Adjustment will give consideration to the comments of surrounding property
owners, and others affected, in deciding whether to get or deny the request for the variance. The
application may be reviewed at the office ofthe PIanning Department located at 108 8th Street, Suite
201, Garfield County Plana. Building, Glenwood Springs, Colorado between the hours of 8:30 a.m.
and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
A public heating on the application has been scheduled for the?7t1day of January 2003, at
7:00 p.m., in the County Commissioners Chambers, Garfield County Plaza Bui ldin 8,108 8th. Street,
Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Planning Department
Garfield County
SENDER: COMPLETE: THIS SECTION
COMPLETETNIS SECTION DN DELIVERY
•
• Complete items 1, 2, and 3. Als complete
item 4 if Restricted De s desired.
▪ Print your name and address on the reverse
so that we can return the card to you.
d Attach this card to the back of the mailpiece,
or on the front if space permits.
1. Article Addressed to:
Larry and Barabara Finer
2550 Niderer Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
A. Si natrue 4
eceive�..by (Pri fed Name)
—LIAR
-i. - ❑ Agent
• Addressee
121 Date of Belivery
D. is delivery address different from item 1? 0 Yes
If YES, enter delivery address below: ❑ No
3. Service Type
Q$Certified Mail
❑ Registered
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O Express Mail
O Return Receipt for Merchandise
0 C.O.D.
4. Restricted Delivery? (Extra Fee)
0 Yes
2. Article Number r{�
(Transfer from service laber7 -7 cot�rj (--)r .el / 7 '(nom ,7 i 7,
PS Form 3811, August 2001 Domestic Retum Receipt
102595 -Q1 -M-2509:
SENDER: 'COMPLETETHIS SECTION
■ Complete items 1, 2, and 3. Also complete
item 4 if Restrict elivery is desired.
■ Print your name and address on the reverse
so that we can return the card to you.
▪ Attach this card to the back of the mailpiece,
or.on the front if space permits.
1. Article Addressed to:
Bureau of Land Management
c/o/ Steve Bennett
50629 Highway 6 &24
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
RECEIVED DEC 2 4 2M2
COMPLETE ENIS SECTION ONfDEL+IVERY
A. Received by,(Please Print Clearly) B. Date.of Deliv
Ve, tr.
❑ Agent
0 Addressee
D. Is delivery address•clifferent from item 1? 0 Yes
If YES, enter delivery address below: 0 No
3. Service Type
0 Certified Mail
❑ Registered
❑ Insured Mail
❑ Express Mail
0 Retum Receipt for Merchandise
❑ C.O.D.
4. Restricted Delivery'? (Extra Fee) 0 Yes
2. Article Number (Copy from service labeQ
7�i:`.3'WO 0of-?,
PS Form 3811, July 1999
Domestic Retum Receipt
102595-99-M-1789
SENDER COMPLETE THIS.SECT,LO'N..''
■ Complete items 1, 2, and 3. Also complete
item 4 "'heli ed Delivery is desired.
m Print your name and address on the reverse
so that we can return the card to you.
Attach this card to the back of the mailpiece,
or on the front if space permits.
1. Article Addressed to:
The Estate of John Powers
Attn: Kimiko Powers
13114 Highway 82
Carbondale, CO 81623-9508
RECEIVED DEC 1 9 2002
COMPLETE7HISSECfTIO N DN,D ELI:VER.Y.
. A. Received by (Please Print Clearly)
C. Signet
B. Dat- of • -
0 Agent
�4& .
0 Addressee
D. s deliveryaddre-. different from it 1? 0 Yes
If YES, enter delivery address below: 0 No
Ivery
3. Service Type
❑ Certified Mail
❑ Registered
0 Insured Mail
❑ Express Mail
0 Return Receipt for Merchandise
0 C.O.D.
4. Restricted Delivery? (Extra Fee)
❑ Yes
2. Article�Number (Coy from service label°
/idle,?vLS0. COCl. —7.0
ER,.. OMPTE. ThtS SECTfO�t.
Complete items 1, 2, and 3. Also complete
ifent4 if Restricted Delivery is desired.
le Print your name and address on the reverse
so that we can return the card to you.
In Attach this card to the back of the mailpiece,
or on the front if space permits.
CORTLETrETFJfSiSECTON NbEI.VERY
ed by {Please "y' hJt� • }
1. Article Addressed to:
H. Arvid Johnson Trust
4107 Newton Ave. #2
Dallas, TX 70219
RECEIVED DEC 1 2002
2. A
Ps F
•DDelivery
OIL
LuJ Agent
0 Addressee
D. is delivery address different from item 1? 0 Yes
If YES, enter derivery address below: 0 No
3. Service Type
ciCertified Mail
0 Registered
0 Insured Mail
❑ Express Mail
0 Return Receipt for Merchandise
0 G.O.D.
4. Restricted Delivery? (Extra Fee)
0 Yes
102595.99-M-1789
12/09/2002 11:26 970-963-7290
ACKERMAN REAL ESTATE PACE 02
ART ACKERMAN
0352 Golden Stone Drive
Carbondale, CO 81623
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 8th Street, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81801
Re: Variance Request of Arvid Johnson from the Rear Yard Setback
at 0476 County Road 112
Dear Board Members,
lam writing in support of granting a variance in the rear set -back
requirements with respect to the property st 0475 County Road 112.
1 have known the previous owner of the property, Ed Schumacher, and
have been in the home many times in the past 17 years and am familiar with the
adjoining properties in the arra.
The improvements to be made to the property ars long overdue and will
create a sate and appropriate correction to the saw -tooth design of the original
addition. It will, in no way, impinge on any other owners' rights in the area. it is my
understanding that the adjacent land owner, U.S.Bureau of Land Management, has
no objection to the variance being granted and fully endorses the design proposed
by Mr. Johnson, the present owner.
The Improvements being made will bet an enhancement to the immediate
area and will contribute to the over-all welfare of the community.
Res slyY
21
Lir .Ackerman
12/09/2002 10:33 19709630306
December 9, 2002
LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 8th Street
Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
PAGE 02
Re: 475 County Road 112
Public Notice / Variance from setback
To whom it may concern:
I reside at 485 County Road 112 and have reviewed the remodel improvements
proposed by Mr. Arvid Johnson at the above referenced address_
I understand that Mr. Johnson is proposing to remodel within the 25 -foot
minimum rear setback located on the south side of his building envelope.
After conversation with Mr. Johnson about design and size of the structure in the
setback, I have no concerns_
Mr. Johnson has taken great steps towards improvements to this property and
thus enhances not only the said property but also the neighborhood as a whole.
I support Mr. Johnson's proposal_
Respectful)
Ja - s R. Pitts
485 i aunty Road 112
•* ondale, CO 81623
Co: Mr. Arvid Johnson
EXHIBIT
IN REPLY REFER TO:
9230
CO -140
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Glenwood Springs Resource Area
50629 Highway 6 and 24
P.O. Box 1009
GIenwood Springs, Colorado 81602
October 22, 2002
Ms. Cynthia Tester
BEATTIE & CHADWICK
710 Cooper Avenue, Suite 200
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Dear Ms. Tester:
As a result of our discussions with you and your client and the recent field
visit, the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) has no objection with the setback
variance application for Mr. Arvid Johnson. Since this situation deals with
an existing structure and will actually provide the opportunity to correct an
encroachment associated with the retaining wall, we support the variance as
the most logical solution and least costly to all parties involved.
Other alternatives'we discussed would be time consuming and costly to both the
BLM and Mr. Johnson. They may also not be supported through our public
process and could be controversial.
We hope the County looks favorably on your application and if we can be of
further assistance with that request please let us know.
Sincerely,
cc: Andy schwaller, Garfield County
Steve G. Bennett
Acting Field Manager
bIumbus Na 5119
EXHIBIT
E
RECEIVED OCT 2 3 an
OM :McElnea
January 11, 2002
FRX NO. :
!9111. WW1 Ni r s. VV III RSM lviumn i1t1:[t
8059 County Road #100
Carbondale, Colorado 81823
Jan. 11 2003 12:43PM P1
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 8th Street, Suite 201
' Glehwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Re: Variance Request of Arvid Johnson from the Rear Yard Setback at 0475 County
Road #112
Dear Board Members:
We support the granting of a seven foot variance from the rear set back
requirements with respect to the property at 0475 County Road 0112.
The Improvements being made by Mr. Johnson wilt enhance the immediate
area and will contribute in a positive way to the overall welfare of the community. By
eliminating a safety hazard and correcting a faulty design, the improvements will
'sarve the public good.
• This house is located In a heavily wooded area, and the variance would have
no impact on the surrounding area.
We encourage the Board to act favorably on this request for a variance.
Respectfully subitted.
cc: Mr. Arvid Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Austin Marquis
0956 County Road #112
Carbondale, Colorado 81623
January 4, 2002
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 8th Street, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Re: Variance Request of Arvid Johnson from the Rear Yard Setback at 0475 County
Road #112
Dear Board Members:
We are writing in support of granting a variance in the rear set back
requirements with respect to the property at 0475 County Road #112.
We have been long time neighbors of the previous owner of the property, Ed
Schumacher, and have been in the home many times in the past. We are familiar with
the adjoining properties in the area.
The improvements to be made to the property are long overdue and will create
a safe and appropriate correction to the saw tooth design of the original addition.
The house is not located in a subdivision or a planned development and in fact
is not visible from any roads in the area, being surrounded by trees. To strictly enforce
a set back requirement given the facts of this case would cause an undue hardship to
Mr. Johnson and his attempt to correct the original faulty design and construction..
The improvements being made by Mr. Johnson will enhance the immediate
area and will contribute in a positive way to the overall welfare of the community, will
eliminate a safety hazard and will serve the public good.
Respectfully sub red.
C7i"AuL,
EXHIBIT
[27
Larry & Barbara FIuer
2550 Niderer Road
Paso Robles, CA 93445
805 237 2392
December 5, 2002
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 8th St.
Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: 475 County Road 112, Carbondale, CO; Public Notice re variance from setback
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is written in response to the receipt of a public notice announcing a hearing on
an application for variance by the property owner of the above referenced parcel. The
hearing is scheduled on December 9, 2002.
We are adjacent property owners of property located at 0477 County Road 112,
Carbondale, CO. We are familiar with the property at 0475 County Road 112, having
lived on adjacent property for a number of years.
It is our understanding from the public notice, and from conversation with the applicant,
Mr. Arvid Johnson that a remodel of a portion of the existing primary residence located
on 0475 County Road 112 has been proposed. The remodelwill involve construction
within the 25 -foot minimum rear yard setback on the south side of the building.
The area of the property where the improvements will occur has no negative impact on
our property of which we are aware, and the area where the construction will occur is in
closest proximity to public land being managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
The improvements described by Mr. Johnson will serve to protect the investment of
neighboring property owners as a long-standing existing structure is being maintained
thereby contributing to the overall welfare of the community and the public good, We
encourage the board to affirm the application for variance so that the needed
improvements can be constructed as proposed. Thank you for the notification and -
solicitation for public comment.
Larry Fluer
Cc: Mr. Arvid Johnson
Barbara FIuer
FROM :TJ CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, INC. FAX NO. :9709631197 Nov. 24 2001 11:55AM P2
December 9, 2002
Cynthia C, Tester
Attorney at Law
Attn: Garfield County Zoning
and Adjustment Board
108 8th Street #201
Glenwood Springs, CO 811601
Re: Variance for dwelling located at:
1045 County Road 112, Garfield County, Colorado
Gentleman,
I wish to address the proposed changes in the property formerly owned by Ed
Schumacher, located at 1045 County Road 112. The breakfast area, which is the
subject in question, was very poorly designed and the construction could only be
considered shoddy. I have spent considerable time in the subject property and am
familiar with the construction.
1 feel that by granting the proposed building variance would not only enhance the
subject property, but would also enhance the entire area.
Thanking you in advance for your consideration of this matter_
Sincerely yours,
A.R. Koeneke
EXHIBIT
.FROM : STEPHENSON
PHONE NO. : 970 963 9166 Dec. 09 2002 02:18PM P1
0328 Surrey Street
Ranch at Roaring Fork
Carbondale, Colorado 81823
Vox & Fax 970-963-8168
rincon@sopris.net
December 2002
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 8th St.
Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, Colorado, 81601
Re: 475 CR 112, Carbondale
To Whom It May Concern:
I find that I am unexpectedly unable to attend the public hearing regarding the
application for a setback variance for the subject property. I do, however, wish that my
comments be heard and entered into the record.
As you are aware, the proposed construction would not increase the existing seven
foot encroachment, but rather add some 70 square feet of living area within the
setback area. The net result would be to bring a rather unsightly building elevation up
to the architectural standard of the neighborhood.
The variance process is designed to deal with zoning situations which cannot fit into
the general "one size fits all" zoning regulations; in addition, variances allow, even
encourage buildings which will complement the community. Such is the case with
this variance application. All neighbors including the federal government have
supported this application for the simple reason that the plan results in a distinct
benefit to the community. Logic and common sense clearly dictate approval of the
variance.
I ask that you approve the variance application.
Yours frilly,
/13
n B. Stephenson
12/29/2002 08:25 9707041987 KIRKHAM
GEORGE D. KIRKHAM
04199 COUNTY ROAD 112, P. 0. Box 235
CARBONDALE,COLORADO 61623
December 28, 2002
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 Eighth Street
Suite '201
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Re: 0475 County Road 112 Public Notice for Variance in
Set Back Requirements
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As neighbors of Arvid and Janet Johnson, we urge you to grant
this very reasonable request for a variance.
Set back requirements make sense in urban and suburban ardas.
They make very little sense in most rural areas involving
large parcels of land. In this particular case the house in
question cannot be seen by any neighbor. The variance is
needed to keep the cost of remodeling reasonable, and the re-
modeling will only improve a once-delapidated house.
Please, let's not Aspenize Garfield County.
Sincerely,
CJ �
George Kirkham
Mary T. Kirkham
PAGE 02
12/08/2002 22:57 19709635512 ARVIDJANETJOHNSO PAGE 02
THE DOUBLE J RANCH
0471 COUNTY ROAD #112
CARBONDALE, COLORADO 81623-9607
970-963-8244
fax 970-963-5512
December 7, 2002
Garfield County Board of Zoning Adjustment
108 8th Street, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
81601
Re: Variance application for the premises at 0475 County Road #112
To the Board of Zoning Adjustment:
For the record and in response to the certified notice of a public hearing on the
application for a variance to the rear yard set back requirements for the property at 0475
County Road #112, we urge the Board to provide for a variance for ail the reasons stated in the
initial application.
Janet hnson
{
BOA Meeting Minutes from
September 23, 2002
Members Present Staff Present
Leo Jammaron
Steve Boat
Brad Jordan
Tom Morton
Mark Bean, B&P Director
Carolyn Dahlgren, Assist. Cty. Atty.
Catalina Cruz, Assist. Cty. Atty.
Roll call was taken and Pete Cabrinha is absent tonight.
The item of discussion tonight is a public hearing request for a variance to the front yard
setback, Section 3.7(1)(A) of the Battlement Mesa PUD for a single-family dwelling.
The property is located at 33 Lupine Lane within the Battlement Mesa Subdivision. The
applicants are Damon and Amanda Wells who are both present for this hearing.
Carolyn Dahlgren questioned Amanda Wells about noticing requirements. Mrs. Wells
used the County Assessors records to identify all property owners within 200 feet of their
property. To the best of her knowledge there are no lessees of minerals. Did certified
mailing to each individual within time period of not more than 60 days and not Iess than
30 days.
All certified return receipts were provided to Carolyn for the record. Proof of publication
in the Post Independent was also provided. Mrs. Well's father posted the site and is still
there on the public right-of-way. Submitted pictures. All appears to be in order. Okay to
proceed.
Brad made a motion and Steve seconded to open the public portion of meeting. All
approved.
Leo swore in all people who wanted to speak this evening.
Mark Bean handed out a letter that was received today from Dan Niedbalski dated
September 23, 2002 in favor of the variance request.
Mark entered the following exhibits into the record:
Exhibit A: Proof of publication
Exhibit B: Return receipts
Exhibit C: Application
Exhibit D: Project Information & Staff Comments
Exhibit E: Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended
Exhibit F: Letter from Dan Niedbalski in favor of applicants request
Bfumbera Na Mil)
EXHIBIT
Exhibits A -- F are accepted into the record. All members approved these exhibits being
accepted into the record.
Mark Bean covered the staff report. The Well's are requesting a variance from the front
yard setback. The property is approximately 10,000 square feet in size and is located at
33 Lupine Lane, Lot 9, Block 11 of the Monument Creek Village of Battlement Mesa
PUD, Parachute, CO. The site appears to be relatively flat.
The applicants are currently constructing a single-family dwelling on the subject
property. Upon inspection by Garfield County Building Department, the garage portion
of the house was found to be in violation of the Garfield County Land Use Code as well
as the PUD zoning for the property regarding building in the front yard setback. The
PUD zoning for the property requires all structures to respect a 25 -foot front yard
setback. The garage portion of the residence extends 3.1 feet into the front yard setback
and is therefore in violation of the zoning regulations.
The house is framed and windows and doors have been installed. The project currently
has a "stop work order" and cannot receive a Certificate of Occupancy until the zoning
violation is resolved.
The Applicant submitted a letter from the Battlement Mesa Architectural Committee
which states they would not contest any action taken by Garfield County in approving the
variance request. The Committee states this is an isolated incident and will not set any
precedent for future actions by the Architectural Committee.
The Applicant contends the reason the house has been built into the setback is most likely
due to the movement of the stakes that delineate the front yard setback from the property
during the course of the construction of the dwelling. The applicant submits the error
might have occurred in one of the following ways:
• The error was caused by a miscalculation on the part of a subcontractor; or
• During the rerouting of the waterline, the setback stake was inadvertently
removed and replaced in the wrong location.
As such, a variance granted by the BOA would allow the structure to remain in place. If
the variance is not granted, the Applicant will be forced to demolish the portion of the
garage in the setback and redesign the structure to comply with the regulations.
Mark reviewed the Statutes set by the State:
• That the variance granted is the minimum necessary to alleviate such practical
difficulties or undue hardship upon the owner of said property.
• That such relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good
and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the General Plan or
this Resolution
• That the circumstances found to constitute a hardship were not caused by the
applicant, are not due to or the result of general conditions in the district, and
cannot be practically corrected.
2
Y -• r ',.-1' ,.,...7.-,••.2.:f_37
ve,yw�--
.L.,,..
• That the concurring vote of four (4) members of the Board shall be necessary to
decide in favor of the appellant.
Staff recommends the BOA Deny this application for a variance from the minimum front
yard setback of 3.1 feet.
Leo asked in a planned community, does the County or Battlement Mesa set the
setbacks? Mark responded that the PUD develops their own zoning.
Steve asked if the developer said this is okay? Mark said yes that Battlement Mesa has
given their approval. Steve brought up zoning change within PUD. HOA is not
interested in that.
Brad said he can understand a precedence setting but he doesn't see this that way.
Damon Wells thanked the BOA for their time. He spoke about the human element. He
referred to his letter of narrative. A quarter of the garage is at 17 feet. Various reasons as
to why this happened. They don't want to point blame at anyone because they do not
know.who is at fault. No precedence will be set per Battlement Mesa HOA. This causes
undue hardship on them. The public has a forum to voice these issues. This is 37 inches
that we are talking about. Have letters stating no problem with requested variance.
Steve asked how was this caught? Mark said during inspection the setback was
questioned.
Leo asked about flags in picture and referred to survey location. Leo visited the site
yesterday and he said there seems to be a lot of room in the front.
Damon Wells did not breach setback intentionally.
Moved to public for comments. Jim Landrum of 11 Lupine Lane spoke first. He feels
concern for these two young people. Talked to contractor about size of garage. Would
ask BOA to grant variance in leu of cutting of 3'1" on garage.
No other public comments so Brad made a motion to close that portion of hearing and all
approved.
Brad asked about report and who wrote. Mark said someone else wrote it. Brad referred
to page 3 of staff report.
Tom asked about any plans to check these out in the field.
Steve asked when was contractor going to admit this problem. Mark said when house
was sold an improvement survey would be done and then it would be discovered.
3
rA-
Brad asked if decision is written by the book. Mark said it is self imposed and written by
the book.
Brad made a motion to approve requested variance as stated and Steve seconded the
motion.
Tom Morton said Government has a human face.
Ali approved motion unanimously.
Brad made a motion to adjourn and Steve seconded. All approved.
4
GARFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 23, 2002
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: GARFIELD COUNTY COURTHOUSE PLAZA, ROOM 100
DATE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2002
1) Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call
3) Public Hearing: Request is for a Variance to Section 3.7(1)(A) of
The Battlement Mesa PUD for a single family dwelling related to
the Front Yard Setback. The property is located at 33 Lupine Lane
in Battlement Mesa.
Applicant: Damon & Amanda Wells
4) Other Business
5) Meeting Adjournment
BOA 9123/02
FAJ
PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
REOUEST:
APPLICANT:
PROPERTY LOCATION:
PRACTICAL LOCATION:
WATER / SEWER:
ACCESS:
EXISTING/ADJACENT ZONING:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Variance from Front Yard Setback
Damon and Amanda Wells
Lot 9, Block 11, Monument Creek Village, Section
One, Garfield County, Colorado
. - =, located in Monument Creek
Village of the Battlement Mesa PUD, Parachute,
Colorado
Battlement Mesa Consolidated Metro District
Lupine Lane
PUD
Denial
L DESCRIPTION OF IRE PR
The property is approximat- 10,000 sq. $. in sic..!;id located at 33 Lupine Lane in Monument Creek
Village of the Battlement Mesa -PUD, Parachute o1 rado. The site a be relatively el
go appears to tiv y flat.
IL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL
The Applicant is currently constructing a single-family dwelling on the subject property. Upon inspection by
Garfield County, the ara e portion of the house was found to be in violation o e arfield County Land
-Ds.S.o.des the PUD zoninfor the property regarding building in the front yard setbiZE More
specifically, the PUD zonin_ for the prop r,. tures all structures to respect a 25-footont yar setback.
The garage portion of the residence under construction extens feet fo he ons yard setback and is
therefore in violation of the zoning regulations.
The Applicant has applied to the Board of Adjustment to request a variance from the front yard setback
requirements of 25 feet. The house is framed and windows and doors have been installed. The project
currently maintains a "stop work" order and cannot receive a Certificate -of Occupancy until the zoning
violation is resolved.
It should be noted, the Applicant submitted a letter from the Battlement Mesa Service Association
Architectural Committee jhereinafter "Committee") which states that they would "not contest any action
-ta en by Garfield County" in approving the variance request. In a.. -tion the omni i. s is an
isolated incident and will not set any precedent to -flit -tire actions by the Architectural Committee." (See
III. STAFF COMMENTS & REVIEW STANDARDS
Staff reviewed the variance application which, if granted by the Board of Adjustment, would allow the
Applicant to construct the garage portion of the single-family dwelling 3.1 feet into the front yard setback.
The Applicant contends the reason the house has been built into the setback is most likely due to the
movement of the stakes that delineate the front yard setback for the property during the course of the
construction of the dwelling. More specifically, the Applicant submits the error might have occurred in one
of the following ways:
The error was caused by a miscalculation on the part of a subcontractor; or
During the rerouting of the waterline, the setback stake was inadvertently removed and replaced in
the wrong location.
In. any event, the dwelling is currently under considerable construction. As such, a variance granted by the
Board would allow the structure to remain in place. Conversely, if a variance in not granted, the Applicant
will be forced to demolish the portion of the garage in the setback and redesign the structure to comply with
the regulations.
or er for the Board of Adjustment to grant a variance, they must find the Applicant has satisfied the three
main criteria or- standards provided in Section 9.05 of the Zoning Resolution. Staff has included the
regulatory language from Section 9.05 followed by Staff's findings to the required criteria / standards set
forth below. Specifically, Section 9.05.03 of the zoning regulations states,
After the proper forwarding of an application for variance to the Board and where by reason of
exceptional narrowness, shallowness or shape of the specific piece ofproperty at the time of enactment of
this Resolution, or by reason of exceptional topographic conditions or other extraordinary and
exceptional situation or condition of such piece of property, the strict application of any regulation
enacted under this Resolution would result in peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties to, or
exceptional and undue hardship upon, the owner of such property, the Board may authorize, upon the
application relating to said property, a variance from such strict application so as to relieve such
difficulties or hardship, provided, however:
hat the variance granted is the minimum necessary to alleviate such practical difficulties or undue
hardship upon the owner of said property;
Staff Finding
As mentioned above, the front 3.1 feet of the garage extends into the front yard setback. It appears that the
reasons for this violation may be one of the following:
a) The error was caused by a miscalculation on the part of a subcontractor; or
b) During the rerouting of the waterline, the setback stake was inadvertently removed and replaced in the
wrong location.
A variance of 3.1 feet would alleviate a practical difficulty of having to demolish that portion of the garage.
However, the variance would not alleviate an undue hardship upon the owner. The lot is flat and contains
considerable square footage for the placement of the single-family dwelling. The underlying zoning regulations
can be easily met on the property and do not cause an undue hardship.
Moreover, the regulations state that hardship could be achieved if: 1) by reason of exceptional narrowness,
shallowness or shape of the specific piece of property at the time of enactment of this Resolution, or 2) by
reason of exceptional topographic conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional situation or condition of
such piece of property.
2
The property is flat and contains approximately 10,000 sq. ft. which can easily accommodate a single-family
dwelling as proposed and constructed. Staff finds that the lot is 1) not exceptionally narrow or shallow in
shape, 2) nor contains exceptional topographic conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional situation or
condition of such piece of property. The Applicant has not satisfied this criterion.
CThat such relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without
substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the General Plan or this Resolution;
Staff Finding
Staff finds that by granting this variance, which appears to be caused by the property owner, the Board may be
setting a dangerous precedent which jeopardizes its ability to make future decisions on variance requests. As a
result, Staff finds that a granting of this variance would cause substantial detriment to the public good and
would impair the intent and purpose of the General plan and this Resolution.
More specifically, by granting this variance simply because construction has begun on the structure even
though the violation was caused by the Applicant, it would send a mixed message to the general public of
Garfield County. In other words, future builders, contractors, and property owners might more likely violate
setback requirements (or other zoning regulations) knowing that the Board will most likely approve a variance
because they would be bound by their past decision making record.
Staff acknowledges this decision is not an easy one due to the fact that the residence is already under
substantial construction. In many variance requests before the Board, Applicants are still in a design phase
rather than actually dealing with issues surrounding a residence under construction. Nevertheless, Staff cannot
recommend the Board approve this variance request because it is caused by the Applicant and would set a very
difficult precedent to overcome.
Not only would this action place the Board in a difficult position by weakening their ability to make variance
decisions based on hardship, but it would also begin to erode the importance of the zoning regulations
themselves adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. In this light, a Staff finds that granting this
variance would cause detriment to the public good and substantially impair the intent and purpose of the
General plan and this Resolution. As a result, Staff finds the Applicant has not met this criterion.
hat the circumstances found to constitute a hardship were not caused by the applicant, are not due to
or the result of general conditions in the district, and cannot be practically corrected;
Staff Finding
As the criterion states, the hardship for which a variance is requested may not be one the property owner
inflicted on himself (e.g., been due to the owner's violation of the regulation) or could have avoided. Staff
finds the present request for the setback variance is caused entirelybythe Applicant. In this case, the Applicant
(also the property owner) is ultimately responsible for what occurs on their property either directly or
indirectly. For example, even though a sub -contractor, surveyor, or another third party may have moved the
stakes in the ground used to delineate the proper boundaries, they are building the house on behalf of the
owner. The actions taken by others done on behalf of the property" owner ultimately become the responsibility
of the property owner.
Recourse available to the property owner to remedy the violation not only includes requesting a variance from
the Board, but also having the person(s) responsible for the constructing the house in its current location fix
their apparent mistake. While this violation may not have been caused by the Applicant directly, it is the result
of someone constructing the dwelling on the Applicant's behalf. As a result of the aforementioned, the
3
hardship for which a variance is requested has been caused by the property owner and could have been
avoided. Staff finds the Applicant has not met this criterion.
That the concurring vote of four (4) members of the Board shall be necessary to decide in favor of the
appellant
Staff Finding
As stated in the criterion listed above, in order for the Board to approve the variance request, there needs to be
at least 4 concurring voting members. This shall be determined at the public hearing.
W. STAFF RECOMMENDED FINDINGS
1. That proper posting and public notice was provided as required for the meeting before the Board of
Adjustment.
2. That the meeting before the Board of Adjustment was extensive and complete, that all pertinent facts,
matters and issues were submitted and that all interested parties were heard at that meeting.
3. That for the above stated and other reasons, the proposed setback variance has been determined not to be
in the best interest of the health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the
citizens of Garfield County.
V. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Board of Adjustment DENY this application for a variance from the minim= front
yard setback of 3.1 feet.
4
PUBLIC NOTICE
TAKE NOTICE that Damon and Amanda Wells have applied to the Bbard of Adjustment, Garfield
County,_State of Colorado, to request a variance, in connection with the following described property
situated in the County of Garfield, State of Colorado; to -wit: •
Legal Description: Lot 9, Block 11, Monument Creek Village, Section One, Garfield County,,
Colorado
Practical Description: 33 Lupine Lane, located in Monument Creek Village of the Battlement
Mesa PUD, Parachute, Colorado
The variance would allow the applicant to encroach 3 feet 1 inches into the25' front yard set-
back normally required in Section 3.7(1)(A) of the Battlement Mesa PUD for a single -fancily
dwelling currently under construction.
All persons affected by the proposed variance are invited to appear and state their views, protests cx
support. If you cannot appear personally at such hearing, then you are urged to state your views by
letter, as the Board of Adjustment will give consideration to the comments of surrounding property
owners, and others affected, in deciding whether to grant or deny the request for the variance. The
application may be reviewed at the office ofthe Planning Department located at 108 8th Street, Suite
201, Garfield County Plaza Building, Glenwood Springs, Colorado between the hours of 8:30 a.m.
and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
A public hearing on the application has been scheduled for the 23rd day of September, 2002, at
7:00 p.m., in the County Commissioners Chambers, Garfield County PIP 7a Building, 108 8th Street,
Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Planning Department ' .
Garfield County
REQUEST:
APPLICANT:
i )it RID Pa1LAiC_�c-
BOA 10/25/99
PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
Variance from Section 3.02.06 (2) & (3) of the
Zoning regulations concerning the minimum
rear and side yard setbacks.
Kass T. Burwell & Douglas J. Wight
LOCATION: 0232 Comanchero Trail, Lot 4 Block 5 Elk
Creek Subdivision, northwest of New Castle
$ITE DATA:
WATER:
SEWER:
ACCESS:
EXISTING ZONING:
I. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL
Approximately 'A acre
New Castle wells
individual sewage disposal system (ISDS)
Comanchero Trail
RMH/G/UD--Residential-Mobile
Home/General/Urban Density
A. Request: The applicant is requesting a variance from,the required twenty-five
(25) foot 'rear yard setback and from the required ten (10') foot side yard setback:
The proposed variance would allow the placement of single family-An/Me home
ten (10) feet from the rear property line and five (5) feet from the west propertyci 5Q -
line. The applicant maintains that the topography, trees, and the location of the
ISDS on the site present constraints and hardship. There is an existing mobile
home on the site that currently encroaches into both side yard setbacks. However,
the new unit will encroach into the rear yard setback causing the home to be
placed quite-elese-to an existing ditch,•,which is known to leak.
IL MAJOR ISSUES AND CONCERNS
A. Zoning: A setback is the minimum dimension of a required yard (section 2.02.48).
A yard is the open space on a lot unobstructed from the ground upward (section
Page 1 of 4
Blumberg Ha 5119
EXHIBIT
2,02.54). A front lot line is the boundary of a lot dividing it from the adjacent street
(section 2.02.34-1). A rear lot line is defined as the boundary of a lot opposite the
front lot line. A side lot line is any boundary other than a front or rear lot line.
Section 3.11.06 of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended,
states what the minimum setbacks are in the R-MH/GIUD zone:
Minimum Setback:
Front yard (a) arterial streets; seventy five (75) feet from street centerline or fifty
(50) feet from front lot line, whichever is greater; (b) local street: fifty (50) feet from
street centerline or twcrlty five (25)feet from lot line, whielwer {s greater;
(2) Rear yard: Twenty five (25)feet from rear lot line;
(3) Side yard: Ten (10) feet from side lot line or one-half (1/2) the height of the
prrinoipal building, whichever is greater. (A. 79-132)
B. Variance Criteria: Section 9.05.03 of the Zoning Resolution sets forth the criteria
,;,' upon which a variance may be granted: It states:
rfr tA.a
071-10 Action by the Board ofAdjustment; After the proper forwarding of an application
for variance to the Board and where by reason of exceptional narrowness,
shallowness or shape of the speck piece of property at the time of enactment of this
Resolution or by reason of exceptional topographic . conditions or other
extraordinary and exceptional situation or condition of such piece of property,
the strict application ofany regulation enacted under this lesolution would result
rtu 'wtirpeculiar and exceptional practical difficulties444ceptional and undue
hardshippon,••the owner of such property, the Board may authorize, upon the
applicatio relating to said properly, a variance from such strict application so as
to reli such difficulties or •rdshrp, provi ever:i
(45DIA.124 C.
(1) That the variance granted is the minimum necessary to alleviate such
practical difficulties or undue hardship upon the owner ofsaidproperty;
1 Lek(.c.c [ c. -f — rfc t :Uc 1.t . c t k t c C <'r46
(2) That such relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public C1'
good and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the General Plan
or this Resolution; . 2 t rnAkali 1/1-4Z-1- kaA4+ . -# (-;mi•
(3) That the circumstances found to constitute a hardship were not caused by the
applicant, are not due to or the result of general conditions in the district, and
cannot be practically corrected; amt,. L&p:4d c.k*..p cp..v t -L -€)t- ' ..
4 That the concurringvote offour(4)members oft e Board shall be necessa
(� .�f f rY
to decide in favor of the appellant.
This subdivision was created prior to enactment of the zoning and subdivision
regulations. This particular lot is narrow, varies from 1O% slope to fairly level, and
Page 2 of 4
appears constrained due to the septic and drywell locations. However, the applicant
proposes to replace a single wide mobile home with a double wide manufactured
home, which will likely require installation of a new, adequately sized ISDS
(individual sewage disposal system). Thus, the septic location is not considered to
be a constraint to the development of the lot unless the applicant can provide proof
that the existing ISDS will be adequate for the new unit: In the event the existing
ISDS must be replaced, it appears possible to place the new dwelling unit and ISDS
on the lot without the need for a variance.
There is a ditch that borders the rear property line that has reportedly leaked in the
pasta It must be clearly understood that under no circumstances may the new unit
encroach on any easements, nor can any support for the ditch be removed/altered.
The applicant should provide an engineer's statement assuring the County that no
negative effect will occur to the ditch as a result of the variance and placement of the
new unit. Furthermore, no below -grade living areas (such as a finished basement)
will be permitted. Previous geotechnical studies of the area indicate substantial
soiligeology constraints the applicant should be aware of. As a result, an engineered
foundation will be necessary.
The variance requested appears to be the minimum necessary to alleviate the
difficulties and no detriment to the public is expected to occur as long as the
recommendations made above are followed and it can be proved that the existing
ISDS is adequately sized and thus does not need replacing. Otherwise, the existing
lot can accommodate the proposed development and thus the variance is not
authorized under County regulations.
IV. SUGGESTED FINDINGS
1. That the application for Variance was found to be consistent with the requirements
and standards of Section 9.05 of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as
amended.
2. That proper publication and public notice was provided as required for the public
hearing before the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
3. That the variance approved is the minimum necessary to alleviate the difficulties,
that the hardship is not self-created, and that it can be practically corrected.
4. That the public hearing before the Zoning Board of Adjustment was extensive and
complete, that all facts, matters and issues were submitted and that all interested
parties were heard at the meeting.
Y. RECOMMENDATION
Page 3 of 4
Based on the comments contained herein, and on the findings listed above, Staff
recommends APPROVAL of the variance request, with the following conditions:
J
con -c52.--
1.
nn -c52.--1. To ensure that the proposed spectabinctirls in the best interest of the health,
safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of
Garfield County:
That all representations of the applicant, either within the application or stated at the
hearing before the Board of Adjustment, shall be considered conditions of approval.
41 -AP -
ick v -N r,-� .
3,
viciori`w ‘S\
Page 4 of 4
Pursuant to section 9.05.03 (1) of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978,
as amended, which states that the variance granted is the minimum necessary to
alleviate such practical difficulties or undue hardship won the owner of said
property:
That the applicant prove that the existing ISDS is adequately sized for the new unit
and is thus is valid support of the variance. If a new ISDS is needed, it shall be
placed in such a way that encroaching into the setbacks is unnecessary. and thus no
variance shall be granted. MO. ,.v t'lr�. .';-' ='� ,
To ensure that the proposed spesepe
er -isin the best interest of the health,
safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of Garfield
County:
Under no circumstances shall the new unit encroach on any easements, nor can any
support for the ditch be removed/altered, The applicant shall provide an engineer's
statement assuring the County that no negative effect wi[1 occur to the ditch as a
result of the variance and placement of the new unit. Furthermore, no below -Fade
living areas (such as a finished basement) will be permitted. An engineered
foundation shall be required.
f
• •
GARFIELD COUNTY
Building and Planning Department
October 26, 1999
Mr. Kass Burwell & Mr. Doug Wight
0232 Comanchero Trail
New Castle, CO 81647
Re: Burwell/Wight Variance Application
Dear Mr. Burwell & Mr. Wight:
As you are aware, yesterday, at a noticed public hearing, the Board of Adjustment moved to
conditionally approve your request for a variance from Section 3.02.06 (2) and (3) — the rear and
side yard setbacks -- concerning 0232 Comanchero Trail (Lot 4, Block 5, Elk Creek
Subdivision). The conditions are as follows:
1. That all representations oldie applicant, either within the application or stated at the
hearing before the Board of Adjustment, shall be considered conditions of approval.
2. Under no circumstances shall the new unit encroach on any easements, nor can any
support for the ditch be removed/altered. The applicant shall provide an engineer's
statement assuring the County that no negative effect will occur to the ditch as a result of
the variance and placement of the new unit. Furthermore, no below -grade living areas
(such as a finished basement) will be permitted. An engineered foundation shall be
required.
The variance process will not be complete until the engineer's statement in item 2 has been
provided. Once it has been provided, you may continue to proceed through the building permit
process. Please contact me in the event you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Kit Lyo
Senior Planner
cc: Steve Hackett, Codes Enforcement
Page 1 of 1
TAKE NOTICE that ICa s; .`Y =Biiiivell''and Douglas J. Wight have applied to the Board of
Adjustment, Garfield County, State of Colorado, for a variance to encroach in the required front
and side yard setbacks in connection with the following described property situated in the
County of Garfield, State of Colorado; to -wit:
Legal Description: Lot 4, Block 5, Unit 1 of the Elk Creek Development
Practical Description: 0232 Comanchero Trail, New Castle, Colorado, 81647
Said variance will allow a single family home to encroach fifteen (15) feet into the rear yard
setback and five (5) feet into the side yard setback.
All persons affected by the proposed variance are invited to appear and state their views,
endorsements or objections. If you cannot appear personally at such meeting, then you are urged
to state your iews by letter, as the Board of Adjustment will give consideration to the comments
of surround' g property owners and others affected in deciding whether to grant or deny the
request for a variance. This variance application may be reviewed at the office of the PIanning
Department located at 109 8th Street, Suite 303, Garfield County Courthouse, Glenwood
Springs, Colorado, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p. m., Monday through Friday.
The public hearing on the application for the above variance request has been set for the 25th day
of October, 1999, at 7:00 p.m., at the office of the Board of County Commissioners, Garfield
County Courthouse, Suite 301,109 8th Street, Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Planning Department
Garfield County
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS MEETING
JULY 30, 2001, MINUTES
BOA MEMBERS PRESENT
Leo Jammaron
Harold Raymond
Steve Boat
Pete Cabrinha
STAFF PRESENT
Mark Bean, B&P Director
Jim Leuthauser, Assist. Cty. Atty.
Roll call was taken and the following members were absent: Brad Jordan, Tom Morton
and Dan Weitzenkorn.
The first item on the agenda is a public hearing request for a variance froze, the standard
ten -foot side yard setback in the R/L/SD zoning. The property is located between the
Roaring Fork River and County Road 156. (near the Cardiff Bridge) The applicant is Ed
Rosenberg.
Mark Bean entered the following exhibits into the record:
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit C:
Exhibit D:
Exhibit E:
Proof of Publication
Return Receipts
Application
Project information & Staff Comments
Plans for Building
Mark presented the staff report. The subject property is limited in its building envelope
by the steep decline to the River and large trees on the property. The applicant is
requesting permission to expand their house by building on an attached garage. To do
this they will need to build the garage inside the ten -foot side yard setback. If this
variance is granted there will still be three -feet of distance between the garage and
property line.
Staff is recommending approval of this requested variance to the side yard setback.
Ed Rosenberg presented his comments and noted an old log building at the end of the
driveway, which is also encroaching on setback.
Pete Cabrinha asked, did fire district actually go out there? Ed didn't know. He also
questioned the "bump out" on the side of house. Pete is curious about roofline and asked
to see drawing of house. Pete also had a question on water to garage.
Steve Boat asked about drainage away from the house, needing one foot in ten. Ed says
everything drains to the river now and will continue to do so.
A motion was made to close public hearing. Steve made motion and Harold seconded.
All approved unanimously.
Pete Cabrinha made a motion to approve variance as requested and Steve Boat seconded.
A vote was taken and all approved unanimously.
Board of Adjustment July 30t1, 2001
PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Variance from the ten -foot side yard setback
APPLICANT: Ed Rosenberg
LOCATION: 0176 CR 156, GIenwood Springs, CO
ACCESS: Direct access off CR 156 n
EXISTING ZONING: �—' L- I (5 4)
L DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL
A. Site Description: The subject property is located between the Roaring Fork River and CR
156 and near the Cardiff Bridge. The subject property is limited in its building envelop
by the steep decline to the River and large trees on the property.
B. Request: The applicant is requesting permission to expand their house by building on an
attached garage. To do this they will need to -build -the garage inside the ten -foot side
yard set back.
C. Subdivision: This proposal is located in the Midland Grade Subdivision approved in
1975. .
1Z MAJOR ISSUES AND CONCERNS:
A. Zoning: This property is zoned RIG/LTD. Minimum side yard set back for this zone
district is ten feet or one half the height of the principal building, whichever is greater.
The applicant is requesting permission to build a 17 by 25 foot garage on their house.
Currently the applicant has twenty feet of side yard to the property line, if this variance is
allowed there will still be three feet of distance between the garage and property line.
B. Section Number 9.05.03 After the proper forwarding of an application for variance to the
board and -where by reason of exceptional narrowness, shallowness or shape of the.
specific piece of property at the time of enactment of this Resolution, or by reason of
exceptional topographical conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional situations or
condition of such piece of property, the strict application of any regulation enacted under
- this -Resolution would .result in peculiar and exceptional. and practicaldifficulties .tor or -
exceptionai and undue hardship upon, the owner of such property, the Board may
authorize, upon the application relating to said property , a variance from the strict
application so as to relieve such difficulties or hardship, provided, however:
1. That the variance granted is the minimum necessary to alleviate such practical
difficulties or undue hardship upon the owner of said property,
2. That such relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public
good and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the Master
Plan or this Resolution;
The public good is more likely to be served by granting this variance then
denying this variance. Should the variance be denied and the applicant
forced to develop the garage on the opposite of the house those large frees
would have to be removed. Large trees close to the river bank act as an
"anchor. Remove those trees and the possibility of erosion increases
dramatically.
3. That the circumstances found to constitute a hardship were not caused by the
applicant, are not due to, or the result of, general conditions in the district, and
cannot be practically corrected;
The applicant is requesting only to build a garage on their property this is
would not be out of step with the character of the neighborhood or the
limitations of the zone district. The only reason place to build the garage is in
the side yard set back The triangular shape of the lot, the desire to protect
mature trees and the steep slopes in the backyard are the primary reasons for
this variance request. -
4. That the concurring vote of four members of the Board shall be necessary to
decide in favor of the appellant.
--The-proposed variance-request.i-s-seeking-relief-from-the.side yard set -back requirement
of ten feet. The steepness of the back yard makes building the garage there impractical.
The large trees on the other side of the house protect the riverbanks from erosion so
removing them to build the garage is impractical if not down injurious to the natural
environment.
The applicant has made several contacts concerning this proposal, their neighbors and
KN Energy. Their neighbors have stated in writing that they have no concerns with this
proposal. According to the applicant, KN Energy will be replacing the old gas line and
that they had no objection to locating the new gas line and meter off the garage.
GIenwood Springs & Rural Fire Protection District has
Stafhas sent this request to the Glenwood Springs and Rural Fire Protection District for
their concerns and comments. At this time the Fire District responded only to say there
were no objections. Attached garages are not generally heated but they do have an
electrical or power source for lighting; therefore there is some fire danger involved. Staff
felt that the fire district should have the opportunity to comment on this proposal.
DI RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board of Adjustment approve this Variance.
REQUESTED VARIANCE TO BUILD AN ATTACHED GARAGE
I have only one place to build a garage on my property and that is attached to my house
on the existing paved driveway. This falls in the setback, which is why I .am asking for a variance
due to the hardship which exists. I live by the Roaring Fork River and the lay of the land slopes
N.E. to the riven On the north side of the house the land slopes drastically down towards the
river. Just before the slope exists a Pine tree, in excess of 60 feet tall. Twenty five feet towards
the middle of the front yard lives a Maple tree in excess of 40 feet tall.
Behind the area, of the proposed attached garage, exists an old log shed (10'x 24'), which
sits on a concrete pad. This is a workshop and is not wide enough to accommodate a vehicle.
Even if I wanted to knock this down ,which I do not, and build a garage in ifs place I would still
need a variance to build it big enough to accommodate a vehicle and I would encounter slope
related problems.
My neighbors to the immediate south (the only property directly effected by the proposed
garage) are Tim and Jenny Lang -Burns. They have seen these plans and approve of the project.
(please refer to attached letter).
The contractor, Character Builders (Steve Ms +io) is ready to begin the project as soon
as I complete the variance process. Buddy, at the Water Dept., sent Bn77 over (at my request) to
look at the project on 5/08/01. Bn77 said there are "no problems" in regards to the sewer line
with the proposed project. Jeff Shreeve and Ryan Wesseling, of KN Energy, came by on 5/11/01
and notified me that regardless of the project the old natural gas line, still attached to my
neighbors house to the south, must be replaced with a new line directly to CR 156. They have
seen the proposed garage plans and approve of a new meter and gas line going from the outside
of the proposed garage directly to the road.
Thankyou for your time considering this project. Hopefully it meets with your aproval.
Since
Ed Rosenberg
176 CR 156 �--
Glenwood Springs, Co.
945-1054-h/ 945-6544-w
e •
GARFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
AGENDA
May 18, 1988
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: GARFIELD COUNTY COURTHOUSE, ROOM 301
DATE: May 18, 1998
1) Call meeting to order
2) Roll Call
3) Fublic Hearing for a Variance from Section 3.01.06(2) - Minimum rear
yard setback, located at the East Rifle 1-70 intersection.
Applicant ,Pa il, Anib?ose-i
4) Other Business - Next meeting date
5) Adjournment
Please call the office at 945-8212 and verify whether or not
you will be able to attend the meeting
EXHl81T
BOA 5/18198
PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
$I QIjF .1: Variance from Section 3.01.06 (2) - Munimum
rear yard setback -
APPLICANT: Phil Ambrose
LOCATION: A tract of land located within a portion of
Section 16, T6S, R93W, located
approximately East Rifle 1-70 intersection.
SITE DATA: 0.30 acres
'WATER/SEWER: unknown
ACCESS: CR 320
FXISTING ZONING: A/1
i. DEKR1I7 O0F THE PROFOSAELL
A. Site Description: The subject property is located in the northwest quadrant of the
East Rifle 170 intersection.. Improvements on the site include an existing single-
faly home and certain accessory structures. A vicinity map is attached on page
B. Request The applicant is requesting a variance from the required twenty-five (25)
foot setback from the rear property line, to allow for an addition to the existing
dwelling unit. The proposed variance would the place the west wall of the proposed
addition approximately four (4) feet from the rear property line. The applicant's
engineer has stated that the encroachments were necessary to effectively repair a
plumbing problem created b a y •ken pipe in the existing bathroom. (See site
plan and application pgs.
-1-
MAJOR ISSUES AND CONCERNS
A. Toning: Section 3.01.06 (2), requires that a rear yard setback of 25 ft. be observed for
any house located in the A/I zone district. The existing house is already
nonconforming, in that the northwest comer of the structure is within the 25 ft. set
back. The property line in question is considered the rear property line, since it the
line opposite the front lot line.
B. Section 9.05.03 states that "by reason of exceptional narrowness, shallowness or
shape of the specific piece of property at the time of this resolution or by reason of
exceptional topographic conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional situation
or condition of such piece of property," the Board may authorize a variance. In
addition, the Board must also find that:
1. That the variance granted is the minimum necessary to alleviate such
practical difficulties or undue hardship upon the owner of said property; and
2. That such relief may be granted. without substantial detriment to the public
good and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the
General PIan or this Resolution; and
3. That the circumstances found to constitute a hardship was not caused by the
applicant, are not due to or the result of general conditions in the district, and
cannot be practically corrected; and
4. That the concurring vote of four (4) members of the Board shall be necessary
to decide in favor of the applicant.
C. The proposed variance is from a regulation that was enacted in 1973 to deal with new
construction. The lot is an irregular shape and the house was placed in the present
location prior to that time. As such, it is a nonconforming use. Given the existing
location of the house in relation to the property lines, it does not appear that any
remodel of the house could be accomplished without additional encroachment into
the setback in question. Given the engineers statement, it appears that any repair of
the bathroom would require an additional encroachment into the setback. Staff feels
that the proposed variance is the minimum necessary to allow for the repair. That
there is no reasonable alternative to the construction, short of demolition of the entire
house and rebuilding in another location on the lot.
-2-
PUBLIC NOTICE
TAKE NOTICE that Phillip Ambrose has applied to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Garfield
County, State of Colorado, to grant a variance to the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978,
as amended, in connection with the following described property situated in the County of Garfield,
State of Colorado; to -wit:
Legal Description: See attached description
Practical Description: Located on the southwest side of the East Rifle 1-70 Interchange, near the
Rifle Rest stop.
Said variance is to allow a variance to the rear yard setback of 25 ft. to six (6) ft. for an addition to
a single family dwelling on the above-described property.
All persons affected by the proposed variance are invited to appear and state their views, protests or
support. If you can not appear personally at such hearing, then you are urged to state your views by
letter, as the Zoning Board of Adjustment will give consideration to the comments or surrounding
property owners and others affected in deciding whether to grant or deny the request for the variance.
This variance application may be reviewed at the office of the Planning Department located at 109
8th Street, Suite 303, Garfield County Courthouse, Glenwood Springs, Colorado between the hours
of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
That a scheduled public hearing on the application has been set for the 18th day ofMay, 1998, at the
hour of 7:00 p.m., at the office of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Garfield County Courthouse,
Suite 301,109 8th Street, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Planning Department
Garfield County
HARTERT & WILSON
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
210 TENTH STREET
GLENWOOD SPRINGS. COLORADO 81601
TELEPHONE (970) 928-S665
FACSIMILE (970) 928-9680
January 20, 2003
Garfield County Planning Dept.
109 8th Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: Arvid Johnson Application to the Garfield
County Board of Adjustment
475 County Road 112, Carbondale, Colorado
Members of the Board of Adjustment:
GARFIELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
GERALD D. HARTERT
RONALD M. WILSON
I represent the Estate of John G. Powers and Kimiko Powers as the
Personal Representative of the Estate. I have been authorized by Ms. Powers to
clarify previous positions on the referenced application which were
communicated to you. Ms. Powers has directed me to inform you that she has
no objection to the application and in fact supports the same.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Gerald D. Hartert
GDH:bjw
RE
HARTERT & WILSON JAN 2 4 0
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
210 TENTH STREET
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 81601
TELEPHONE (970) 928-9665
FACSIMILE (970) 926-9680
January 20, 2003
Garfield County Planning Dept.
109 8ft' Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: Arvid Johnson Application to the Garfield
County Board of Adjustment
475 County Road 112, Carbondale, Colorado
Members of the Board of Adjustment:
GARFiELD =COUNTY
BOLDING & PLANNING
GERALD D. HARTERT
RONALD M. WILSON
I represent the Estate of John G. Powers and Kimiko Powers as the
Personal Representative of the Estate. I have been authorized by Ms. Powers to
clarify previous positions on the referenced application which were
communicated to you_ Ms. Powers has directed me to inform you that she has
no objection to the application and in fact supports the same.
Thank you very much for your consideration,
GDH:bjw
Very truly yours,
Gerald D. Hartert
RE
HIBIT
HARTERT & WILSON MN 2 U3
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
210 TENTH STREET
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 81601
TELEPHONE (970) 928-9665
FACSIMILE (970) 928-9680
January 20, 2003
Garfield County Planning Dept.
109 eh Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: Arvid Johnson Application to the Garfield
County Board of Adjustment
475 County Road 112, Carbondale, Colorado
Members of the Board of Adjustment:
GARFELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
GERALD D. HARTERT
RONALD M. WILSON
I represent the Estate of John G. Powers and Kimiko Powers as the
Personal Representative of the Estate. I have been authorized by Ms. Powers to
clarify previous positions on the referenced application which were
communicated to you_ Ms. Powers has directed me to inform you that she has
no objection to the application and in fact supports the same.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
GDH:bjw
Gerald D. Hartert
RE
HARTERT & WILSON JAN 2 4 u
IIBIT
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
210 TENTH STREET
GLENWOOD SPR/NGS, COLORADO 81601
TELEPHONE (970) 928-9665
FACSIMILE (970) 928-9680
January 20, 2003
Garfield County Planning Dept.
109 8th Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: Arvid Johnson Application to the Garfield
County Board of Adjustment
475 County Road 112, Carbondale, Colorado
Members of the Board of Adjustment:
GARFIELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
GERALD D. HARTERT
RONALD M. WILSON
1 represent the Estate of John G. Powers and Kimiko Powers as the
Personal Representative of the Estate. 1 have been authorized by Ms. Powers to
clarify previous positions on the referenced application which were
communicated to you_ Ms. Powers has directed me to inform you that she has
no objection to the application and in fact supports the same.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Gerald D. Hartert
GDH:bjw
RE
HIBIT
HARTERT & WILSON JAN 2 A
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
219 TENTH STREET
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 61601
TELEPHONE {970) 928-9666
FACSIMILE (970) 926-9680
January 20, 2003
Garfield County Planning Dept.
109 8t' Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: Arvid Johnson Application to the Garfield
County Board of Adjustment
475 County Road 112, Carbondale, Colorado
Members of the Board of Adjustment:
UO3
GARFIELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
GERALD O. HARTERT
RONALD M. WILSON
represent the Estate of John G. Powers and Kimiko Powers as the
Personal Representative of the Estate. I have been authorized by Ms. Powers to
clarify previous positions on the referenced application which were
communicated to you. Ms. Powers has directed me to inform you that she has
no objection to the application and in fact supports the same.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
GDH:bjw
Very truly yours,
Gerald D. Hartert
HARTERT & WILSON
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
210 TENTH STREET
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 81601
TELEPHONE (970) 928-9665
FACSIMILE (970) 928-9680
January 20, 2003
Garfield County Planning Dept.
109 8th Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: Arvid Johnson Application to the Garfield
County Board of Adjustment
475 County Road 112, Carbondale, Colorado
Members of the Board of Adjustment:
GARFIELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
GERALD D. HARTERT
RONALD M. WILSON
I represent the Estate of John G. Powers and Kimiko Powers as the
Personal Representative of the Estate. I have been authorized by Ms. Powers to
clarify previous positions on the referenced application which were
communicated to you. Ms. Powers has directed me to inform you that she has
no objection to the application and in fact supports the same.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Gerald D. Hartert
GDH:bjw
f
HARTERT & WILSON
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
210 TENTH STREET
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 81601
TELEPHONE (970) 928-9665
FACSIMILE (970) 928-9680
January 20, 2003
Garfield County Planning Dept.
109 8' Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: Arvid Johnson Application to the Garfield
County Board of Adjustment
475 County Road 112, Carbondale, Colorado
Members of the Board of Adjustment:
RE
JAN PA u3
GARFIELD COUNTY
8UfLDING & PLANNING
GERALD D. HARTERT
RONALD M. WILSON
I represent the Estate of John G. Powers and Kimiko Powers as the
Personal Representative of the Estate. I have been authorized by Ms. Powers to
clarify previous positions on the referenced application which were
communicated to you. Ms. Powers has directed me to inform you that she has
no objection to the application and in fact supports the same.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Gerald D. Hartert
GDH:bjw
RE
'kIBIT
HARTERT & WILSON JAN 2 A
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
210 TENTH STREET
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 81801
TELEPHONE (970) 828-9665
FACSIMILE (970) 928-9680
January 20, 2003
Garfield County Planning Dept.
109 8th Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: Arvid Johnson Application to the Garfield
County Board of Adjustment
475 County Road 112, Carbondale, Colorado
Members of the Board of Adjustment:
GARFIELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
GERALD D. HARTERT
RONALD M. WILSON
I represent the Estate of John G. Powers and Kimiko Powers as the
Personal Representative of the Estate. I have been authorized by Ms. Powers to
clarify previous positions on the referenced application which were
communicated to you. Ms. Powers has directed me to inform you that she has
no objection to the application and in fact supports the same.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Gerald D. Hartert
GDH:bjw
30-28-118
Government - County 510
fact, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, allof which shall
be immediately filed in the office of the board and shall be a public record.
(5) The governing body of a county that has entered into an intergovernmental agree-
ment with a municipality located or partially located within that county for the purposes of
joint participation in use planning, subdivision procedures, and zoning pursuant to the
authority .granted in section 31-23-227 (2), C.R.S., may enter into an intergovernmental
.agreement with that municipality for the purpose of establishing a joint zoning board of
adjustment for a specific area designated in the intergovernmental agreement.
Source: L. 39: p. 301, § 16. CSA: C. 45A, § 16. CRS 53: § 106-2-16. C.R.S. 1963: § 106-2-
16. L. 79: (3) amended, p. 1161, § 6, effective May 25. L. 98: (5) added, p. 689, § 1, effec-
tive May 18.
Am. Jur.2d. See 83 Am. Jur:2d, Zoning and
Planning, § § 721-734.
C.J.S. See 101A C.J.S., Zoning & Land Plan-
ning, § 180.
Law reviews. For article, "Recent Develop-
ments in Zoning Law in Colorado", see 39 Dicta
211 (1962).
' Rules of procedure and evidence not strictly
followed. A hearing before a board of adjust-
ment should be conducted in an orderly manner
but need not strictly conform to the rules of pro-
cedure and evidence necessary in a judicial pro-
ceeding. Monte Vista Professional Bldg., Inc. v.
City of Monte Vista, 35 Colo. App. 235, 531 P.2d
400 (1975).
County commissioners had authority to
appoint themselves to a board of adjustment;
"such offices are not incompatible and statutory
Iimitation applies only to the number of mem-
bers of planning commission on such .board..
• Fedder v. McCurdy, 768 P.2d 711 (Colo. App.
1989).
• 30-28-118. Appeals to board of adjustment. (1) (a) Appeals to the board of adjust-
ment may be taken by any person aggrieved by his inability to obtain a building permit or
by the decision of any administrative officer or agency based upon or made in the course of
the administration or enforcement of the provisions of the zoning resolution. Appeals to
the board of adjustment may be taken by any officer, department, board, or bureau of the
county affected by the grant or refusal of a building permit or by other decision of an
administrative officer or agency based on or made in the course of the administration or
enforcement of the provisions of the zoning resolution. The time within which such appeal
shall be made, and the form or other procedure relating thereto, shall be as specified in the
general rules provided by the board of county commissioners to govern the procedure of
such board of adjustment or in the supplemental rules of procedure adopted by such board.
. (b) • No such appeal to the board of adjustment shall be allowed for building use viola-
tions that may be prosecuted pursuant to section 30-28-124 (1) (b).
(2) . Upon appeals the board of adjustment has the following powers:
(a) To hear and decide appeals, -Where it is alleged by the appellant that there is error in
any order, requirement, decision, or refusal made by an a. ministrative official or agency
based on or made in the enforcement of the zoning resolution;
(b) To hear and decide, in accordance with the provisions of any such resolution,
requests for special exceptions or for interpretation of the map or for decisions upon other
special questions apon which such board is authorized by any such resolution to pass;
(c) Where, by reason of exceptional narrowness, shallowness, or. shape of a specific
piece of property at the time of the enactment of ,the regulation or by reason of exception-
al topographic conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional situation or condition of
such piece of property, the strict application of any regulation enacted under this part 1
would result in peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties to, or exceptional and undue
hatdship upon, the owner of such property, to authorize, upon an appeal relating to said
property, a variance from such strict application so as to relieve such difficulties or hardship
if such relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without
substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the zone plan and zoning resolutions. In
determining Whether difficulties to, or hardship upon, the owner of such property exist, as
used in this paragraph (c), the adequacy of access to sunlight for solar energy devices
installed on or after January 1,'1980, may properly be considered. Regulations and restric-
tions of the height, number of stories, size of buildings and other structures, and the height
and location of trees and other vegetation shall not apply to exisi?ing buildings, structures,
trees, or vegetation except for new growth on such vegetation.
511 County Planning and Building Codes 30-28-119
(3) The concurring vote of fourmembers of the board in the case of a five -member
board and of three members in the case of a three-member board shall be necessary to
reverse any order, requirement, decision, or determination of any such administrative offi-
cial or agency or to decide in favor of the appellant.
Source: L. 39: p. 303, § 17. CSA: C. 45A, § 17. CRS 53:-§ 106=2-17. C.R.S. 1963: § 106-2-
17. L. 77: (1) amended, p. 1458, § 2, effective June 9. L. 79: (2)(c) amended, p. 1161, § 7,
effective May 25.
Am. Jur.2d. See 83 Am. Jur.2d, Zoning and
Planning, § § 735-744, 756-761, 765, 768, 803-
828.
C.J.S. See 101A C.]'.S., Zoning & Land Plan-
ning, § 185.
The board of adjustment has the powers enu-
merated in this section. Board of County Com-
m'rs of La Plata County v. Moga, 947 Ptd 1385
(Colo. 1997).
Requirement of hardship relates to variances,
.not to special exceptions or special use .permits.
Guildner, Way Inc. v. Board of Adjustment, 35
Colo. App. 70, 529 P.2d.332 (1974).,, •
Proof required. In order to obtain rezoning to
permit a use which an applicant seeks, he must
prove that it is not possible to use and develop
the property for any other use enumerated in
the existing zoning; similarly, if one seeks a
lower classification of zoning than the zone
presently existing, be must prove that it is not
possible to use and develop the land for any uses
permitted in zones which are in between the
zone sought and the presently existing zone.
Garrett v. City of Littleton, 177 Colo. 167, 493
P.2d 370.(1972): '
Applicant had the burden of proving that
variance would avoid unnecessary hardship or
was reasonably necessary for the convenience or'
welfare of the public. Monte Vista Professional
Bldg., Inc. v. City of Monte Vista, 35 Colo. App.
235, 531 P.2d 400 (1975).
Courts may not substitute their judgment for
that of the board or disturb an exercise of the
board's discretion in zoning matters unless such
discretion is clearly abused. Monte Vista Profes-
sional Bldg., Inc. v. City of Monte Vista, 35 Colo.
App. 235, 531 P.2d 400 (1975). •
A stop work order issued by a county building
inspector for lack of compliance with a zoning
variance is an administrative order made in
enforcement of a .zoning regulation and the
board of adjustment has original jurisdiction to
hear any 'Challenge to such order. Board of
County Comm'rs of La Plata. County v. Moga,
'.947 Ptd 1585 (Colo: ;1917).
A person challenging a stop work order must
exhaust administrative remedies by seeking
relief from the board of. adjustment before
requesting judicial intervention. Board of Coun-
ty Comm'rs of La Plata County v. Moga, 947
P.2d 1385 (Colo. 1997).
An injunction could not be obtained to pre-
vent construction of buildings approved. by
board of adjustment, although lot was slightly
smaller than zoning requirement, since remedy
is review by court -only to see if board has
abused its discretion. Bacon v. Steigman, 123
Colo. 62, 225 P.2d 1046 (1950)..•
Applied in, Johnson v. Board of County Com-
m'rs, 158 Colo. 311, 406 P.2d 338 (1.965); Murray
v. Board of Adjustments, 42.Colo. App. 113, 594
P.2d 596 (1979); Gramiger v. Crowley, 638 P.2d
797 (Colo. 1981); Giamiger v. Crowley, 660 P.2d
1279 (Colo. 1983).
30-28-119. District planning commissions. (1) Whether or not a county planning
commission has been created, the board of county commissioners of any county which is
unzoned, on petition, from time to time, may appoint district planning commissions for the
purpose of preparing plans for zoning certain portions of the unincorporated territory with-
in such county. Such petition shall:
(a) Be signed by more than fifty percent of the ,qualifiedelectors who are residents in
the proposed district and more than fifty percent of the residents and nonresidents who
own more' than fifty percent of the area of real property situated within the boundaries of
the district described in the petition;
(b) Request the appointment of a planning commission for such district;
(c) Contain all of the following:.. . •
(1) A list of the parcels of land as shown in the records of the county assessor to be
included within the proposed district;
(Il) • A list of proposed planning commissioners; and
(III) A map that shows the boundaries of the proposed district and the total number of
acres within the proposed district and that meets the minimum standards for land surveys
and plats provided in article 51 of title 38, C.R.S.;
(d) Be submitted.to the county clerk and recorder.
(1.3) The county clerk and recorder shall review the petition and prepare a report for
the board of county commissioners. The board of county commissioners may adopt rules
Arvid Johnson Trust
Rear Yard Setback Variance
Request
Garfield County
Board of Adjustment
January 27, 2003
Nature of Variance Request
. Applicant wishes to expand the rear portion
of a single-family residence into the rear
yard setback by 7 feet.
Zone: A/R/RD
Minimum Setback of 25 feet
Structure is currently a legal non -conforming
structure located within the setback
Plan View of
Current
Residence
Scarrow &
Walker Survey
dated 3/25/02
1
Staff Findings
Property is not unique in OX510Dr?y or configured in a peculiar shape
so as to rnent a variance request based on the characteristics of the
property; and
Staff research discovered the 1982 Building Permit (a public record) for
the addition which approved the addition to be located 13 feet 4 and a
half inches from the rear lot line establishing the house as a legal non-
conforming structure; and
The Application did not include the 1982 building permit and implied
that due to a lack of information on the exact rear property line, the
BLM resurvey completed in 1986 made the stricture non -conforming
which would have been reason for granting a variance; and
The Applicant purchased the property knowing of the non -conforming
structure based on the Scarrow & walker survey prepared prior to
purchase in 2002; and
You cannot increase a non -conformity (Case 1 Common Law); and
Applicant's Points
Failing foundation in the breakfast nook with zigzag wail
due to:
Ground was poorly prepared (tamping / rocks)
Improperly poured foundation (Lack of appropriate rebar)
. Would like a more "contemporary kitchen design" which
gives "more space" and adds to better "flow" and a
better "view"
BLM land swap didn't work but says its OK with them
Implied that the BLM resurvey created the legal non-
conformity in 1986 when the lot line was resurveyed
placing it 12.5 feet from the house
Staff Findings
- Variety of other available alternatives that do not require a
variance; and
The foundation of the "Zigzag" wall has been removed and a
new properly constructed foundation on prepared ground
can occur not requiring a variance at all; and
- The circumstances found to constitute a hardship are caused
by the Applicant; and
- Staff recommends the Board deny the variance request.
Proposed
Potential Alternatives
available to the Applicant �
that do not require a
variance
:a
Plans
which were not
_
iIM
1oill 8
25
iz-V.
/
'-
I
illi,..litiiiiiiiiiiiiiims
Applicant's Points
Failing foundation in the breakfast nook with zigzag wail
due to:
Ground was poorly prepared (tamping / rocks)
Improperly poured foundation (Lack of appropriate rebar)
. Would like a more "contemporary kitchen design" which
gives "more space" and adds to better "flow" and a
better "view"
BLM land swap didn't work but says its OK with them
Implied that the BLM resurvey created the legal non-
conformity in 1986 when the lot line was resurveyed
placing it 12.5 feet from the house
Staff Findings
- Variety of other available alternatives that do not require a
variance; and
The foundation of the "Zigzag" wall has been removed and a
new properly constructed foundation on prepared ground
can occur not requiring a variance at all; and
- The circumstances found to constitute a hardship are caused
by the Applicant; and
- Staff recommends the Board deny the variance request.
Proposed
A
Plans
which were not
1
iIM
E.�€
--
approved due to
M'
wieT
1
setback issue...II
•.�
i Dim NG
•AI
j Ii41F
f.lE
I
! 1
A..�.
rr----1 k'
1 •
____1. '
's'
0 .
l
,
V25 feet Setback
_
Ir
_
_-
■■
5.
2
Thank You
In Summary
1. Many other alternatives to Applicant (approved)
2. You cannot increase a non -conformity (22 year windfall)
3. Property is 12 acres and is not exceptionally narrow or
shallow in shape nor encumbered by exceptional
topography that would preclude development under
today's development regulations.
4. Request does not satisfy standards in Section 9.05.03(1 —
3) of the Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended
5. Hardship caused by Applicant wanting to encroach further
into setback
3
H. ARVID JOHNSON REVOCABLE TRUST
u/a/d 02/15/90
0471 COUNTY ROAD #112
CARBONDALE, COLORADO 81623-9607
February 20, 2003
Garfield County Planning and Zoning
108 8th Street
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Attn: Fred Jarman, Senior Planner
Re: Rear Yard Setback Variance Application
0475 County Road #112
Dear Sir:
This letter will serve to withdraw the variance application filed on October 20, 2002
for the property located at 0475 County Road #1 12, and filed on behalf of the owner of the
property, The H. Arvid Johnson Revocable Trust.
The withdraw of the variance application from the county's 25' rear yard set back
requirements is predicated on the reconfiguration of the access road to the property, as set forth
in the Access Easement Map of the Johnson Property prepared by Sopris Engineering LLC, Civil
Consultants, Carbondale, Colorado dated 02/18/03, a copy of which is hereby attached and made
a part of this letter. The new road easement will be quit claimed to a third party as requested by
the Planning and Zoning Staff.
Based on this road relocation, as shown, the front entrance and front yard will be facing
West, with the principal or front door located on this side of the house. The West (front) and
East (rear) sides of the house will be subject to the front and rear yard set back requirements
of 25' from the property line. The North and South sides of the house will be subject to the side
yard set back requirements of 10' from the property line.
Sincerely,
H. Arvid
Trustee . - = H. Arvid Johnson
Revocable Trust u/a/d 2/15/90
N 00°15'39" E
EXHIBIT MAP OF.
15.0' WIDE ACCESS EASEMENT
A PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE NW1/4SE1/4 OF SECTIONS 23
TOWNSHIP 7 SOUTH, RANGE 88 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M.,
COUNTY OF GARFIELD, STATE OF COLORADO.
SHEET 2 OF 2
LINE TABLE
LINE
LENGTH
BEARING
L1
67.88'
3 11°56'56" E
L2
163.52'
3 23°12'14" W
L3
36.44'
N 15°45'00" W
I4
128.42'
N 39°20'38" E
CURVE TABLE
CURVE
LENGTH
RADIUS
TANGENT
CHORD
BEARING
DELTA
C1
184.00'
299.91'
95.00'
181.13'
.5' 05°37' 38" W
35°09'09"
C2
115.34'
169.65'
60.00'
113.13'
3 03'43'37" W
38°57'11"
C3
73.21'
75.49'
39.77'
70.37'
3 43°32'02" E
55°33'53"
C4
44.88'
75.49'
23.13'
44.22'
S 88°20'57" E
34"03'51"
C5
116.18'
188.71'
60.00'
114.36'
N 56°58'54" E
35"16'32"
06
15.07'
75.49'
7.56'
15.04'
S 65°35'52" E
1726'15"
N 89°49'42" E
714.61'
BOOK 923 PASE II
RECEPTION No. 471155
POINT OF -
BEGINNING
•
•
•
fh
N 89°21'04" TY
60.0'
RIGHT OF WAY
& EASEMENT
RECEPTION No. 241103
ACCESS
EASEMENT
f5O01C 1345 PASE 823
RECEPTION No. 6012-42-
N
01242
N 89°21'04" T!'"
Co
01
co
ris 0/4S�IUN 23
53510'
736.74'
SOPRIS ENGINEERING - LLC
CIVIL CONSULTANTS
502 MAIN STREET, SUITE A3
CARBONDALE, COLORADO 81623
(970) 704--0311
s
SCALE 1" = 200'
23019.01 02/18/03 23019-EXI-t1BIT.DWG
EXHIBIT MAP OF.
15.0' WIDE ACCESS EASEMENT
A PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE NW1/4SE1/4 OF SECTIONS 23
TOWNSHIP 7 SOUTH, RANGE 88 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M.,
COUNTY OF GARFIELD, STATE OF COLORADO.
SHEET 1_ OF 2
AN ACCESS EASEMENT SITUATED IN THE NW1/4SE1/4 OF SECTION 23,
TOWNSHIP 7 SOUTH, RANGE 88 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M. SAID EASEMENT
ALSO BEING LOCATED IN A PORTION OF THAT PROPERTY RECORDED AS
RECEPTION No. 471155 IN THE GARFIELD COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDERS
OFFICE; SAID EASEMENT BEING MORE PARTICULARLY AS DESCRIBED
AS FOLLOWS:
BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SAID RECEPTION No. 471155
THENCE S 20°00'00" W ALONG THE BOUNDARY OF SAID PROPERTY 50.00 FEET
THENCE LEAVING SAID BOUNDARY N 70°00'00" W 15.00 FEET
THENCE N 20°00'00" E 51.15 FEET TO A POINT ON THE BOUNDARY OF SAID PROPERTY
THENCE ALONG SAID BOUNDARY 15.07 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT
HAVING A RADIUS OF 75.49 FEET WHICH CHORD BEARS S 65°35'52" E 15.04 FEET
TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING SAID ACCESS EASEMENT CONTAINING 755 SQUARE FEET
MORE OR LESS.
COUNTY OF GARFIELD, STATE OF COLORADO.
SOPRIS ENGINEERING - LLC
CIVIL CONSULTANTS
502 MAIN STREET, SUITE A3
CARBONDALE, COLORADO 81623
(970) 704-0311
23019.01 02/18/03 23019-EXH1BIT.DWG