CITY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

MINUTES of Meeting No. 855

Tuesday, December 10, 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		Beach	Boulden, Legal
Cooper Turnbo		Butler
White, Chair
Perkins

The notice and agenda of said meeting was posted at the City Clerk’s office, City Hall as well as in the Office of INCOG, 201 W. 5^th St., Suite 600, on Thursday, December 5, 2002, at 10:48 a.m.

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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CONTINUANCES AND CASES WITHDRAWN

Case No. 19492

Action Requested:

Special Exception to permit a wall in the front yard exceeding 4’ in height; and a Variance to permit wall columns within the planned but not existing right-of-way of 36^th Street, located 3458 and 3460 South Atlanta Place.

Presentation:

Mr. Beach informed the Board that Rodney Edwards, attorney for Frank and Bonnie Henke asked for a continuance. Mr. White suggested since none of the parties were present yet, that the case be tabled until later in the meeting.

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MINUTES

On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 5-0-0 (White, Dunham, Turnbo, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; no "absences") to APPROVE the Minutes of November 26, 2002 (No. 854).

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UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Case No. 19477

Action Requested:

Variance of setback from required 25’ to 1.6’ to permit an existing in ground storm cellar in the front yard. SECTION 403. BULK AND AREA REQUIREMENTS IN THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS – Use Unit 6; and a Variance to permit an accessory structure as a principal use. SECTION 402.B. ACCESSORY USES IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, Accessory Use Conditions, located 4208 S. Madison Pl.

Presentation:

Mr. Beach informed the Board that the applicant has withdrawn the application.

Board Action:

No action necessary.

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NEW APPLICATIONS

Case No. 19483

Action Requested:

Minor Variance of rear yard from required 20’ to 18.17’, located 6522 East 26^th Court South.

Presentation:

Orman E. Landers, 6522 E. 26^th Ct., stated that during the application for permits they discovered they had poured a foundation a few inches over the building line. They wanted to build a sunroom over the existing patio. A site plan was provided (Exhibit A-1).

Comments and Questions:

Mr. Dunham stated that staff did not point out any significant planning issues with this.

Interested Parties:

There were no interested parties who wished to speak.

Board Action:

On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 5-0-0 (White, Dunham, Turnbo, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; no "absences") to APPROVE a Minor Variance of rear yard from required 20’ to 18.17’, per plan, finding there have been numerous other instances of the same minor variance, it is an existing condition and he is rebuilding, on the following described property:

Lot 18, Block 10, Boman Acres 3^rd Addition, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

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Case No. 19484

Action Requested:

Special Exception to permit a home occupation in a RS-1 district (medical transcription service), located 4150 South Jamestown.

Presentation:

Julie Hall, 504 S. Allegheny, attorney for Norma Vesley, of 4150 S. Jamestown, stated that the applicant has done medical transcription work out of her home for over ten years. The last nine months she has been in a house she leased for one year until she buys another home. Previous to that she worked out of two different homes which she owned and never had any complaints. There is a lot of traffic, but most of it is personal in nature, family members and a care taker for her elderly mother. She submitted photographs (Exhibit B-1). Ms. Hall pointed out the limited view of her home from the street, by the screening of trees. Mr. Beach asked how many square feet are used for the office. Ms. Hall replied it is about 300 to 400 square feet. She explained that Ms. Vesley receives dictation over phone lines. The work is sent out via phone or computer to transcriptionists. The documents are returned to Ms. Vesley in the form of hard copies, which would amount to four to five cars per day. Since she received the complaint there has been no business traffic.

Comments and Questions:

Mr. Boulden asked how much of the traffic is business related. Ms. Vesley replied that four people would come by in the evenings to deliver hard copies they have transcribed. She added in the morning her courier delivers the documents to the physicians. Mr. Boulden asked how she has alleviated the business traffic. She replied that she is leaving four times per day to pick up the finished documents. She also has her courier deliver the paper work to the physicians in the mornings. The courier is also the housekeeper and caretaker for Ms. Vesley’s mother.

Interested Parties:

Archer Ratzloff, 4317 S. Jamestown, complained about the excessive number of vehicles in and out of the subject property daily. He submitted a petition of opposition (Exhibit B-3).

John Deluca, 3712 E. 43^rd St. S., stated he was representing his neighbors in the Patrick Henry Addition. He considered this a rezoning process. He stated this is a residential neighborhood, and they have documentation of speeders. They do not think a business belongs in this area.

Gordon Holmes, 3720 E. 43^rd St., confirmed with the Board that the special exception would stay with the property. He surmised there is a business set up in a residential zoning district.

Comments and Questions:

Mr. Boulden asked about the parking of vehicles. Mr. Holmes stated that the vehicles have parked in the wide driveway. The driveway has an extension that would probably allow eight to ten cars to park off the street.

Interested Parties:

Monte Moellers, 4145 S. Jamestown, stated she found an advertisement for the business on the subject property in a newspaper. She stated they don’t want a business in the neighborhood.

Jean Heidinger, 4123 S. Jamestown, expressed concern for what business would be started there after the applicant moves.

An informational letter was provided to the Board (Exhibit B-2).

Applicant’s Rebuttal:

Julie Hall, stated this is a home occupation, and there is no stipulation about the amount of traffic. The majority of vehicles parked at the home are family owned. Ms. Vesley has run the business successfully for years in the same area. Ms. Perkins questioned that some of the transcriptionists are family members, and asked if those parked cars are family members employed by the business. Ms. Hall explained that when the relatives come for business they are delivering transcripts. When the relatives come over during the day it is strictly personal visits. There is no one else working out of her home other than the courier/housekeeper/caretaker that has been mentioned.

Ms. Vesley repeated the work process again for the Board. Ms. Hall explained that the niece who works for Ms. Vesley does not work on the subject property. Ms. Vesley stated that her other family members who come to visit are not receiving any compensation from the home occupation. Ms. Vesley is the only one residing there who is engaged in the business. She explained that she has more than one computer for backup in case there are problems.

Board Action:

On MOTION of Cooper, the Board voted 5-0-0 (White, Dunham, Turnbo, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; no "absences") to DENY a Special Exception to permit a home occupation in a RS-1 district (medical transcription service), finding it would not be in harmony with the spirit and intent of the Code, and would be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare, on the following described property:

Lot 22, Block 1, Villa Grove Heights No. 1, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

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Case No. 19485

Action Requested:

Variance of size of detached accessory building to 2,268 square feet, located 10809 South Louisville Avenue.

Presentation:

Robert Clark, 10809 S. Louisville Ave., stated he proposes to build an accessory building for garage and hobby shop. The properties around them are large plots. The building would not be visible to most neighbors because of the lay of the land. A site plan (Exhibit C-1) was provided.

Comments and Questions:

Mr. White asked if there would be any commercial enterprise in the building. Mr. Clark replied there would not be.

Interested Parties:

There were no interested parties who wished to speak.

Board Action:

On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 5-0-0 (White, Dunham, Turnbo, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; no "absences") to APPROVE a Variance of size of detached accessory building to 2,268 square feet, on condition there be no commercial activities conducted in the new structure, finding the size of the lot would support the size of the structure, on the following described property:

W 330.00’ and S 331.00’ of the N/4 SW/4 of T-18-N, R-13-E, Section 28, less 25.00’ N for road, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

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Case No. 19486

Action Requested:

Special Exception to permit a manufactured home in a RM-2 district; and a Variance to extend the one year time limit for manufactured home, located 4100 West 8^th Street.

Presentation:

Kim Canfield, 21498 E. 43^rd St., Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, stated she came to help Elmer Blanchard, of 1520 S. Memorial, present his application. He proposes to put a doublewide mobile home on a permanent foundation. She submitted photographs (Exhibit D-1). She mentioned that Mr. Blanchard is legally blind and needs access to a City bus.

Comments and Questions:

Ms. Perkins noted the staff comments that the Board previously approved a mobile home on this property. Ms. Canfield replied that the mobile was just recently removed. Mr. White asked about the existing garage. Ms. Canfield responded they are considering removing the garage also. Mr. Cooper asked if the applicant wants the home to remain there as long as possible. Ms. Canfield replied in the affirmative.

Interested Parties:

Janet Thompson, 501 Angus Dr., Sand Springs, Oklahoma, stated she owns property at 3940 W. 8^th St., in which her mother lives. She stated that she and the neighbors do not want a modular home moved into the area because they deteriorate more quickly than permanent structures. Two area trailer parks have been closed down for similar reasons.

Applicant’s Rebuttal:

Ms. Canfield mentioned this is a hardship case, that Mr. Blanchard is a veteran and legally blind. This prevents him from going outside of the city limits to place a manufactured home. They plan to put it on a permanent foundation and it will be FHA and VA approved. The house has a HUD label, which means it will not sit and deteriorate in four to five years.

Board Action:

On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 4-1-0 (White, Dunham, Turnbo, Perkins "aye"; Cooper "nay"; no "abstentions"; no "absences") to APPROVE a Special Exception to permit a manufactured home in a RM-2 district; and a Variance to extend the one year time limit for a manufactured home, on conditions that it be a new home on a permanent foundation and for a ten year time limit, 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 1, Block 2, Home Gardens Addition, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

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Case No. 19492

Action Requested:

Mr. Beach informed the Board that Frank and Bonnie Henke represented by Rodney Edwards are requesting a continuance pending the outcome of a district court case on the same property for the same issue.

Presentation:

Roy Johnsen, 201 W. 5^th St., Ste. 501, stated he represented Mr. Phillips in the previous case in court and is applicant in this case. When it came before the Board it involved a variance for height limitation of a wall. The relief needed was a special exception. The variance was denied for lack of a hardship. No hardship finding is required for a special exception. There was no relief requested for a variance of a setback from centerline of the street. These are two separate applications. He asked that the case be heard today.

Comments and Questions:

Mr. Boulden stated this is a separate case than the previous one and recommended the Board to proceed with this application. Mr. Boulden spoke with Mr. Edwards and he believes they intended to stand on the letter sent to the Board of Adjustment (Exhibit H-2).

Board Action:

Mr. White stated the case would be heard in turn on the agenda.

W 200.00’ of Lot 6, Block 4, Oakview Estates, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

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Case No. 19487

Action Requested:

Special Exception to allow a private park in a RS-2 district, located 13230 East 4^th Place.

Presentation:

Rogue Gaton, 12027 E. Archer, stated he built a wall on his property and did not know he needed a permit. He did not think it was too high. He informed the Board that all they do is play handball there.

Comments and Questions:

Mr. White asked for the height of the wall. Mr. Gayton replied it is 12’ in height. Mr. White asked for a drawing showing where it is on the property and how far from the side yard. Mr. White asked if the privacy fence is on the property line. Mr. Gayton replied in the affirmative. Ms. Turnbo asked who can use the private park. Mr. Gayton replied his family and friends. He does not have restroom facilities on the property. He stated about 20 people play ball there. He added they park on his friend’s yard. Mr. White asked what the zoning violation notice stated. Mr. Beach responded that the notice was regarding an accessory use without a principal use.

Interested Parties:

Priscilla Lucius, 13266 E. 4^th Pl., submitted photographs and a petition (Exhibit E-1 and E-2). She stated that every weekend there are between 30 and 40 vehicles. She informed the Board there is only one access for the area.

Matthew Steele, 6220 S. 132^nd E. Ave., submitted photographs (Exhibit E-1). He pointed out beer cartons left outside the fence and the wall. He counted at least 40 cars at one time. The volume of traffic is excessive for only one access. He suspects the property is being used for gambling. He indicated that many people could not play at one time. The owner of the land where the cars are parked signed the petition of opposition.

Edith Black, 13501 E. 4^th Pl., expressed the same concerns as listed above.

Applicant’s Rebuttal:

Mr. Gayton responded that they do not park in anyone’s way and never block the road. He added that they pick up the trash there everyday.

The Board discussed conditions of: no parking lot, no restroom facilities, and increased traffic in the neighborhood.

Board Action:

On MOTION of Turnbo, the Board voted 5-0-0 (White, Dunham, Turnbo, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; no "absences") to DENY a Special Exception to allow a private park in a RS-2 district, finding it would not be in harmony with the spirit and intent of the Code, and would be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare, on the following described property:

Lot 7, Block 9, Meadowbrook Heights, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

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Case No. 19488

Action Requested:

Special Exception to permit a school and childcare center in an IL district, located 4339 South 93^rd East Avenue.

Presentation:

Janice Roth, 8534 E. 37^th Pl., stated they propose to move a private school with 88 children to another facility with more space. She stated they would need to construct a six foot fence across the front and down the side of the playground area. The property is approximately 10,000 square feet. They will be prepared to care for 150 children.

Comments and Questions:

Mr. Dunham asked about the parking requirement for this property. Mr. Beach responded the requirement is one parking place per 500 square feet of floor area.

Board Action:

On MOTION of Dunham, the Board voted 5-0-0 (White, Dunham, Turnbo, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; no "absences") to APPROVE a Special Exception to permit a school and childcare center in an IL district, with conditions for meeting all required licenses, inspections, parking requirements, and a 6’ fence in front and along side the playground, finding it will be in harmony with the spirit and intent of the Code, and will not be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare, on the following described property:

Part of Lot 1, Beg. NE/c, thence S 255.65’, due W 389.94’ N 306.41 on curve to right 108.23 SE 400.00’ to Beg., Alexander Trust Addition, City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma.

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Case No. 19489

Action Requested:

Special Exception to permit a Drive-in Restaurant in CS zoning, located 19^th and Memorial.

Presentation:

Ted Sack, 111 S. Elgin, with Sack and Associates, stated he represented Sonic Drive-Ins. He described the surrounding CS zoned properties and an OM zoned district across the street. An aerial and site plan were provided (Exhibits F-1 and F-2).

Comments and Questions:

Mr. White asked if this will leave Albertson’s with the required parking. Mr. Sack replied that Albertson’s would still have required parking. When the lot split was obtained in 1997 they had to show each tract would stand on their own.

Interested Parties:

Al Nichols, 8525 E. 16^th St., stated he represented Mingo Valley Homeowners’ Association. They are in support of the application, as it would enhance the neighborhood.

Board Action:

On MOTION of Turnbo, the Board voted 5-0-0 (White, Dunham, Turnbo, Perkins, Cooper "aye"; no "nays"; no "abstentions"; no "absences") to APPROVE a Special Exception to permit a Drive-in Restaurant in CS zoning, finding it will be in harmony with the spirit and intent of the Code, and will not be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare, on the following described property:

A part of Block 9, O’Connor Park, an addition to the City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma, according to the official recorded plat thereof, Plat Number 1236, being more particularly described a