CITY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

MINUTES of Meeting No. 852

Tuesday, October 22, 2002, 1:00 p.m.

Francis F. Campbell City Council Room

Plaza Level of City Hall

Tulsa Civic Center

 

   

MEMBERS PRESENT

MEMBERS ABSENT

STAFF PRESENT

OTHERS PRESENT

Dunham, Vice Chair

Turnbo

Beach

Boulden, Legal

Cooper

Perkins

 

Butler

 

 

White, Chair

 

 

 

 

The notice and amended agenda of said meeting was posted at the City Clerk’s office, City Hall, on Monday, October 21, 2002, at 10:49 a.m., as well as in the Office of INCOG, 201 W. 5th St., Suite 600.

 

After declaring a quorum present, Chair, White called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.

 

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Mr. Jim Beach read the rules and procedures for the Board of Adjustment Public Hearing.

 

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CONTINUATIONS AND CASES WITHDRAWN

 

Case No. 19461

      Action Requested:

         Special Exception to permit Use Unit 14 in an IM zoned district.  SECTION 901.  PRINCIPAL USES PERMITTED IN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS – Use Unit 14 & 15; and a Variance of required parking from 86 to 84 spaces.  SECTION 1215.D. USE UNIT 15.  OTHER TRADES AND SERVICES, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements, located 6235 E. 13th St. S.

 

      Presentation:

         Mr. Beach announced the applicant requested a continuance to November 12, 2002. 

 

      Board Action:

         On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 3-0-0 (White, Dunham, Perkins, "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; Turnbo, Cooper no "absent") to CONTINUE Case 19461 to the meeting on November 12, 2002, regarding the following described property:

            A tract of land in the NE/4 of Section 10, T-19-N, R-13-E of the IBM, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma, said tract being that part of the SW/4 SW/4 NE/4 NE/4 less the S 30.00’ thereof, and a part of the NW/4 SW/4 NE/4 NE/4 and a part of the SW/4 NW/4 NE/4 NE/4 less the W 150.00’ of the N 50.00’, and a part of the SE/4 SW/4 NE/4 NE/4, more particularly described as: Beg. at a point, said Point being on the N right-of-way line of 13th Street, a distance of 30.00’ N 0°27’40” E of the SW/c NE/4 NE/4 of Section 10, with bearings based on the S boundary of Section 10 being due E; thence N 89°55’48” E along the N right-of-way line of 13th Street a distance of 593.66’ to a point for corner, said Point being the intersection of the N right-of way line of 13th Street and the W right-of-way line of Norwood Ave.; thence N 0°26’48” E, along the W right-of-way line of Norwood Ave. a distance of 272.13’ to a point for corner, said point being 1,025.45’ S (along the E boundary of Section 10) and 730.00’ W (perpendicular to the E boundary of Section 10) of the NE/c of Section 10; thence N 89°33’12” W, a distance of 263.50’ to a point for corner; thence N 0°27’40” E a distance of 685.49’ to a point for corner; thence S 89°55’48” W, a distance of 180.00’ to a point for corner; thence S 0°27’40” W a distance of 50.00’ to a point for corner; thence S 89°55’48” W, a distance of 150.00’ to a  point for corner on the W boundary of the SW/4 NW/4 NE/4 NE/4 of Section 10; thence S 0°27’40” W, a distance of 910.00’ to the POB.

 

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Case No. 19467

      Action Requested:

         Variance of the average lot width in an RS-1 zoned district from 100’ to 80’.  SECTION 403.  BULK AND AREA REQUIREMENTS IN THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS – Use Unit 6, located 4455 S. Gary.

     

      Presentation:

         Mr. Beach informed the Board that it was discovered today the applicant has not requested enough relief.  The applicant requests a continuance to November 12, 2002.

 

      Board Action:

         On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 3-0-0 (White, Dunham, Perkins, "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; Cooper, Turnbo "absent") to CONTINUE Case No. 19467 to the meeting on November 12, 2002 to allow the applicant to provide more information for a new notice, regarding the following described property:

 

            Lot 6, Block 2, Villa Grove Park, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

 

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MINUTES

 

On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 3-0-0 (White, Dunham, Perkins, "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; Turnbo, Cooper "absent") to APPROVE the Minutes of October 8, 2002 (No. 851).

 

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UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Case No. 19453

      Action Requested:

         The Board tabled this case until Mr. Cooper’s arrival.

 

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NEW APPLICATIONS

 

Case No. 19456

      Action Requested:

         Mr. White discovered he would need to abstain.  The case was tabled until Mr. Cooper’s arrival.

 

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Case No. 19457

      Action Requested:

         Variance of the required side setback from 15’ to 5’ 9” to rebuild a non-conforming building and to add an addition on the rear of the existing house.  SECTION 403.  BULK AND AREA REQUIREMENTS IN THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS – Use Unit 6, located 2128 E. 26th St.

 

      Presentation:

         Alan Staab stated he is the home owner and Brian L. Freese, 6144 S. Lewis, #300, is the architect for this project.  The existing structure is non-compliant, as it was built before the zoning changes.  They propose to extend the garage wall to the south an additional 14’, which would bring it to 5’9” from the lot line.  The back yard slopes down to the 100 year flood plain line, prohibiting building further in that direction.  They have shared the plans with the neighbors to the west and they have no objection to the application.  A site plan was provided (Exhibit B-1).

 

      Interested Parties:

         There were no interested parties who wished to speak.

 

 

 

      Board Action:

         On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 3-0-0 (White, Dunham, Perkins, "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; Turnbo, Cooper "absent") to APPROVE  a Variance of the required side setback from 15’ to 5’ 9” to rebuild a non-conforming building and to add an addition on the rear of the existing house, per plan, finding this is the continuation of an existing non-conforming building, and finding it will not cause substantial detriment to the public good or impair the purposes, spirit, and intent of the Code, or the Comprehensive Plan, on the following described property:

 

            All of Lot 9 and part of Lot 8, more particularly described as follows, to-wit: Beg. at the NW/c Lot 8; thence Ely along the N line of said lot 10’ to a point; thence Sly on a straight line to a point on the S line of said lot 10’ Ely from the SW/c of said lot; thence Wly along the S line of said lot 10’ to the SW/c of said lot; thence Nly along the W line of said lot 190.95’ to the POB, all in Block 2, Forest Hills, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

 

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Case No. 19458

      Action Requested:

         Variance of 47.5 square feet (display area) to allow 101.17 square feet (ground sign on Memorial Drive frontage).  SECTION 602.B.4.c ACCESSORY USES PERMITTED IN OFFICE DISTRICTS, Accessory Use Conditions; a Variance of height of sign from 20’ to 23’-11”.  SECTION 602.B.4.e. ACCESSORY USES PERMITTED IN OFFICE DISTRICTS, Accessory Use Conditions; and a Variance to allow a changeable copy sign to show time and temperature.   SECTION 1221.C.2. USE UNIT 21.  BUSINESS SIGNS AND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING, General Use Conditions for Business Signs, located 218 S. Memorial Dr.

 

      Presentation:

         Randall Pickard, 10051 S. Yale, Ste. 203, stated he is an attorney and he was representing Arvest Bank.  He introduced Larry Choate, and Kathy Thompson for Arvest Bank, and Mir Khezri for Acura Neon, Inc.     Mr. Pickard stated that on December 11, 2001 an application was presented to the Board for a special exception for a drive-through bank on this property on Memorial Drive.  The zoning was OL and the Board approved the special exception.  The bank has been constructed and should be ready to occupy in about one month.  A site plan was provided with the application (Exhibit C-1) and Mr. Pickard submitted a labeled aerial photograph (Exhibit C-2).  He pointed out the CH zoning to the north; the Wal-Mart Supercenter to the east (CH zoned); Keyport Self-Storage to the east; RSM (CH zoned) also to the east; and to the south is OL zoning with a very large parking lot.  There is a residential district to the north, with two residences that front on Memorial, and the two houses to the north are used for businesses according to the signs.  He submitted photographs (Exhibit C-4) to show the intersection with signals and other views of the intersection, bank and surrounding area.  He submitted a sign plan (Exhibit C-3).  He indicated that the commercial districts around the subject property make the sign appropriate in this location.  He pointed out a nearby Wal-Mart sign, which is 40’ high, and yet the proposed sign is much smaller. 

 

      Interested Parties:

         Ronald Hale, 8009 E. 2nd St., stated he owns this property.  He expressed concern regarding the traffic that the hill and the sign would obstruct the view.  He added that he was also concerned that he and his neighbors would have a problem with the bank driveway being so close to their driveways on the residential street.

 

      Comments and Questions:

         Mr. Beach commented there is nothing in the zoning code that prohibits a driveway access in an OL zoning to access a residential street.  Mr. White recalled the same concerns in the application the year before.  After lengthy discussion the Board determined that moving the drive farther to the west would resolve the problem. 

 

      Applicant’s Rebuttal:

         Mr. Pickard reminded the Board that the sign would have a ten-foot clearance.

 

         Cooper arrived at 1:33 p.m.

 

         He reiterated that though the subject property is OL, the surrounding property is commercial with more intense use and provides a compatible use for this type of sign.  He reminded the Board that the special exception was approved, which allows for a more intense use.  This is one of several locations for this business, this one having the particular use of a drive-through window.  The signs are ready-made, and ready to install on site.  He felt it would be an unnecessary hardship to require Arvest Bank to make a special variation of the sign for this one location. 

 

      Comments and Questions:

         Ms. Perkins noted that he is establishing a financial hardship, which the Board cannot consider.  Mr. Pickard responded that to lower the sign would make it more accessible to vandalism; the electrical code requires that it be at least 10’ high.  He asked if the Board was inclined to approve the variance that they include the time and temperature as a community service.

 

         Cooper stated he would abstain since he did not hear the presentation.

 

      Board Action:

         On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 3-0-1 (White, Dunham, Perkins, "aye"; no "nays"; Cooper "abstained"; Turnbo "absent") to DENY a Variance of 47.5 square feet (display area) to allow 101.17 square feet (ground sign on Memorial Drive frontage); a Variance of height of sign from 20’ to 23’-11”; and a Variance to allow a changeable copy sign to show time and temperature, finding a lack of hardship, on the following described property:

 

            A part of the E/2 SE/4 NE/4 of Section 2, T-19-N, R-13-E, of the IBM, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma, more particularly described as follows, to-wit: Beg. at a point on the E line of said Section 2, said point being 1,095.00’ N SE/c NE/4 said Section 2; thence W along a line parallel to the N line of the S/2 NE/4 of said Section 2, a distance of 232.00’ to a point; thence N and parallel to the E line of said Section 2, a distance of 138.00’ to a point; thence E along a line parallel to the N line of the S/2 of the NE/4 of said Section 2, a distance 232.00’ to a point on the E line of said Section 2; thence S along the E line of said Section 2, a distance of 138.00’ to the POB; AND a tract of land located in Section 2, T-19-N, R-13-E, more particularly describe as follows, to wit: Beg. 995’ N of SE/c NE/4; thence W 232.00’; thence N 100.00’; thence E 232.00’; thence S 100.00’ to the POB.

 

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CASE FOR RECONSIDERATION

 

Case No. 19453

      Action Requested:

         Special Exception to allow a sporting goods store with 1,000 square feet of customer food service area.  SECTION 1212.D.  USE UNIT 12.  EATING ESTABLISHMENTS OTHER THAN DRIVE-INS, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements; Variance from the required 118 parking spaces to 87 parking spaces.  SECTION 1214.D. USE UNIT 14.  SHOPPING GOODS AND SERVICES, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements, located 4535 S. Harvard Ave.

 

      Presentation:

         Raymond Lord, 1703 E. Skelly, stated he was working with the Dentons on this case.  Since the last hearing of this case Robert Studebaker obtained signatures on a petition requesting reconsideration and approval of this application. 

 

      Comments and Questions:

         Mr. White asked if any of the interested parties present at the last meeting have changed their minds.  Mr. Lord replied that Dr. Katz has changed from a neutral position to being fully in favor of the application since he heard more about the project.  Mr. White noted the petition signatures are mostly businesses from 41st to 46th S. Harvard.  Mr. Lord pointed out the first four pages are businesses and the last two pages are residential.  Mr. White stated the residential addresses are about ½ mile east of Harvard, and he was looking for some on Indianapolis and Jamestown closer to the site.  Mr. Lord informed the Board that more signatures are being obtained in the immediate proximity.  Two neighbors with property abutting the subject property are now willing to sign the petition in favor of the application.

 

 

 

      Board Action:

         On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 4-0-0 (White, Dunham, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; Turnbo "absent") to CONTINUE Case No. 19453 to the meeting on November 26, 2002 for reconsideration, regarding the following described property:

 

            All of Courte House, a Re-subdivision of Lots 4 & 5, Block 2, Villa Grove Heights No. I, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

 

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Case No. 19456

      Action Requested:

         Variance of requirement of 20’ building line in back yard to 5’.  SECTION 403.  BULK AND AREA REQUIREMENTS IN THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS – Use Unit 6; a Variance of requirement that the dwelling cannot take up more than 20% of required rear yard to 25%.  SECTION 210.B. YARDS, Permitted Obstructions in Required Yards; and a Variance for swimming pool to be placed in side yard.  SECTION 210.B. YARDS, Permitted Obstructions in Required Yards, located 204 E. 27th Pl.

 

      Presentation:

         Scott Veach, stated he is the owner of the subject property.  They propose to build a breezeway, attaching the detached garage and the house only.  He submitted a revised site plan (Exhibit A-1).  

 

      Comments and Questions:

         The Board and staff determined that the breezeway will not make the garage an attached garage.   The breezeway is considered an accessory building as well.

 

      Interested Parties:

         Larry Henry, 100 W. 5th St., Ste. 500, stated he represented the neighbors, Robert and Joann Hale.  They are in support of the application. 

 

      Board Action:

         On MOTION of Cooper, the Board voted 3-0-1 (Dunham, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; White "abstained"; Turnbo "absences") to APPROVE a Variance of requirement that the dwelling cannot take up more than 20% of required rear yard to 25%, per the plan as re-submitted for the breezeway only, and does not include anything on the plan labeled new, finding the shape of the lot creates a hardship for the property, as described:

 

            Lot 12, Block 18, Sunset Terrace Addition, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

 

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Case No. 19459

      Action Requested:

         Variance of the required 25’ setback to 18’.  SECTION 403.  BULK AND AREA REQUIREMENTS IN THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS -- Use Unit 6; and a Variance of the allowable building height in an RS district from 35’ to 36’ for an addition to an existing dwelling.  SECTION 403.  BULK AND AREA REQUIREMENTS IN THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, located 2132 S. Norfolk Ave.              

 

      Presentation:

         Roger Coffey, 324 E. 3rd, with Olsen, Coffey Architects, stated he represented the owners Richard and Beverly Schafer.  They propose to remove the existing garage and build a new rear wing to the residence and new attached garage.  It would require building within 18’ of the rear property line, in order to construct a driveway to the garage.  The Tudor design has a steeply pitched roof and with a ridge height of about 37’.   A site plan  and documentation of square footage was provided (Exhibits D-1 and D-2).

 

      Comments and Questions:

         Mr. Dunham noted that the new structure would not protrude as far into the back yard as the existing structure. 

 

      Interested Parties:

         There were no interested parties who wished to speak.

 

      Board Action:

         On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 4-0-0 (White, Dunham, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; Turnbo "absent") to APPROVE a Variance of the required 25’ setback to 18’; and a Variance of the allowable building height in an RS district from 35’ to 36’ for an addition to an existing dwelling, per plan, finding the addition and change in the property will be less intrusive than existing conditions, and finding it will not cause substantial detriment to the public good or impair the purposes, spirit, and intent of the Code, or the Comprehensive Plan, on the following described property:

 

            Lot 4, Block 8, Sunset Park Addition, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

 

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Case No. 19460

      Action Requested:

         Variance of 150 square feet display surface area and 20’ height sign restrictions in an RM-1 district to permit relocation of an existing non-conforming sign.  SECTION 402.B.4.b. ACCESSORY USES IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, Accessory Use Conditions – Use Unit 8, located S & W of SW/c E. Skelly Dr. & E. 21st St.                       

 

      Presentation:

         John W. Moody, 1924 S. Utica, Ste. 700, stated he represented the owners of the American Village on the Lake Apartments.  The property was condemned and acquired where the sign was located.  Mr. Moody indicated the proposed site to the southwest on the site plan.  They propose to put the existing sign on a monopole.  He researched but could not prove that the existing sign is a legal, non-conforming sign that may have been present before the apartment complex was built.  He introduced Terry Howard, with Commercial Signs, who was present to answer any questions.  A site plan was provided (Exhibit E-1).

 

      Interested Parties:

         There were no interested parties who wished to speak.

 

      Board Action:

         On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 4-0-0 (White, Dunham, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; Turnbo "absent") to APPROVE a Variance of 150 square feet display surface area and 20’ height sign restrictions in an RM-1 district to permit relocation of an existing non-conforming sign, per plan, finding the sign is a legal non-conforming use, and the move was imposed by highway improvement plans, on the following described property:

 

            Lots 1 and 2, Block 40, of Blocks 39 and 40, Longview Lake Estates, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma, less and except the right-of-way for I-44 highway.

 

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Case No. 19462