2001-5-17 Minutes
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Meeting of May 17, 2001
The Blair Board of Adjustment was called to order at 12:00 Noon by Chairman Doug
Cook. Members present were Doug Cook, Dave Bohling, Jeff Bryan, Randy Lock and Lee Suhr.
Members absent were Paul Buckingham. Others present were Assistant Administrator Hiller.
Motion by Lock, second by Bryan to approve the minutes of the September 21, 2000
meeting as presented to members. All members present voted Aye. Chairman Cook declared
the motion carried.
Roger Bauer spoke on behalf of William Taylor regarding their request for a variance for
the construction of a garage. Mr. Bauer stated they planned to remove the existing garage and
would like to construct the new garage in approximately the same location. If they were required
to move the garage over to comply with zoning, it would create a bad situation and usefulness of
the garage. The driveway would have to angle back to the garage and a tree that can not be
removed in the back yard would prevent the garage from being constructed off of the alley. By
moving the garage, it would also cause the garage door to be constructed 2’4” from the corner, as
the building code does not allow for the installation of a door directly next to the corner. The
garage is currently 8’ from the house and the new garage will be placed another 8’ from the
house for a total of 16’ from the house. The new garage will be in line with the neighbor’s
existing garage. Assistant Administrator Hiller reviewed the lot location and current layout of
existing property through a power point presentation. She also advised that the zoning ordinance
requires new construction meet the current setback requirements, that approximately 30’ exists
from the edge of alley to the new garage so there would be ample room for access off of the alley
and several walls of the garage would have to be fire rated if it was allowed to be constructed
closer than 10’ from the house. Ms Hiller and Chairman Cook outlined the findings of fact
stated by State Statutes that the Board must consider when granting a variance. Discussion was
held regarding constructing the garage with access off of the alley, distance of neighbor’s garage
from lot line, removal of tree in the rear yard, and setbacks as required by the Zoning Ordinance.
Motion by Bohling, second by Cook to reject the variance application submitted by William
Taylor, 1942 Colfax Street, Blair for a variance of the side yard setback from 5’ (required to 3’
for the construction of a new detached garage on Lot 9, Block 62 BD First Addition, Washington
County, Blair, Nebraska. Members present voting Aye: Cook, Bohling, Lock and Bryan.
Members present voting Nay: Suhr. Chairman Cook declared the motion carried.
Assistant Administrator Hiller updated the Commission on variance application
submitted by Clegg and Ronning. On August 16, 2001 the Board of Adjustment considered two
applications (Richard and Laura Ronning and Michael and Jackie Clegg for variances of the side
and/or rear yard setback (50 feet) to allow accessory structures in the AGG District. The Board
of Adjustment had suggested that the Zoning Ordinance (Section 501.08) should be amended, as
these applications were representatives of several other dealings with building setbacks in the
agricultural district. On October 20, 2000 the City Council amended the Ordinance to allow
accessory buildings not used for keeping animals to provide a setback of 25’ from the side and
rear property lines; residential structures and accessory buildings used for sheltering animals
must still provide a 50’ setback. The Clegg and Ronning applications for variances were
terminated and the fee refunded.
There were no communications from the floor.
Motion by Lock, second by Bryan to adjourn the meeting at 12:35 p.m. All members
present voted Aye. Chairman Cook declared the meeting adjourned.
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Brenda Taylor, City Clerk