To: Mark Hafner, City Manager
From: Julie Smith, Director of Community Development
Subject:
..title
PUBLIC HEARING: Consider an ordinance approving three Specific Use Permits (SUPs) for a 2,948 square-foot detached accessory structure with an average height of 17 ½ feet, located on 1.07 acre, situated on the east side of Willis Lane, approximately 1,318 feet northeast of the intersection of Willis Lane and North Tarrant Parkway, legally described as Lot 17, Block 1 of Ashley-Alden addition, zoned Single-Family 36,000 square-foot lot size or greater (SF-36) and addressed 1909 Willis Lane. Steven Townsend, Owner/Applicant. (SUP-22-0013)
Background:
On May 6, 2022, the Applicant submitted a request for three Specific Use Permits to construct a 2,948 square-foot two-story detached accessory structure with an average height of 17 ½ feet, and peak of 19 feet. The Applicant proposes to use the structure as a woodshop, bay for automobiles to include a car lift, space for recreation, an office/game room area with full bath/dog wash, and storage.
Building Size:
The first floor of the proposed structure is a total of 1,980 square feet, which includes a 180 square-foot covered porch. The second floor is 968 square feet for a total of 2,948 square feet. The building exceeds the UDC requirements that detached accessory structures be 1,200 feet or less, and that accessory structures be 50 percent or less than the square footage of the home (2,639 square feet in this case), so two SUPs are required for the size of the accessory structure.
The average height will be 17 ½ feet tall, with a peak of 19 feet, exceeding the 15’ maximum for accessory structures allowed by the UDC. A third SUP is required for the height.
The total lot coverage for the existing home and drive, plus the proposed structure and flatwork, will be approximately 16,414 square feet, or about 35% of the total lot square footage. The is less than the maximum allowed (50%) and so meets the UDC standard for lot coverage.
Building Location:
The proposed building will be located in the southeast corner of the lot and will meet the side-yard setback requirement of 14 feet and rear-yard setback requirement of 20 feet. The Applicant will be demolishing the existing shed and concrete pad, and plans to extend the concrete from the existing driveway through the backyard to the alley on the east side of the property. The applicant also intends to install a 20’x30’ concrete pad at the east end of the proposed building to be used for parking and recreation.
Building Exterior:
The Applicant proposes to use PBR metal panel 26 gauge with 40-year polar white paint for exterior walls and black for the roof and trim to complement the white brick and black roof of the existing home. The west elevation (facing Willis Lane) will have a 3’x7’ decorative door and wainscot of stone/brick that will complement the brick on the existing home. The post for the porch will also have a wainscot of the same complementary stone. There will be one entry-exit door on the north elevation and 3 windows (two on the west elevation and one on the north elevation). The applicant intends to install two 10’x14’ electric roll-up doors facing north and a second 3’x7’ entry along the north elevation.
Citizen Input:
On May 13, 2022, the City mailed out 22 Letters of Notification for this Public Hearing to all property owners within three-hundred feet (300’) of the subject site. A public hearing notice sign was posted on the site.
As of June 13, 2022 staff has received one phone call and one email from neighbors inquiring about the project. No letters of opposition or support have been received.
Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation:
On May 24, 2022, the Commission discussed at length their concern about approving an accessory structure that was larger than the home. However, based on the programming of the building and the homeowners’ interests, they voted 4-3 to recommend approval of the following SUP request with no modifications.
SUP Requests:
1. An SUP for the size of the accessory structure to be 2,948 square feet and exceed the 1,200 square-foot maximum in SF-36 zoning.
2. An SUP for the size of the accessory structure to exceed 50% of the existing home.
3. An SUP for the height of the accessory structure to exceed the UDC requirement of an average of 15 feet tall. The proposed height is an average of 17 ½ feet with a peak of 19 feet.
Summary:
Section 8.02 (F)(2) of the UDC states that when considering a SUP request, the City Council shall consider the following factors:
1) The use is harmonious and compatible with surrounding existing uses or proposed uses;
2) The activities requested by the applicant are normally associated with the permitted uses in the base district;
3) The nature of the use is reasonable and appropriate in the immediate area;
4) Any negative impact on the surrounding area has been mitigated; and
5) That any additional conditions specified ensure that the intent of the district purposes are being upheld.
Alternatives:
The City Council has the following options when considering Specific Use Permits:
§ Approve as submitted (Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation).
§ Approve with modified or additional condition(s).
§ Table the agenda item to a specific date with clarification of intent and purpose.
§ Deny.