L48 B1 WR Home DesignTown of Avon
Variance & Final Design
Review
Staff Report
May 6, 1997 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting
Report date May 1, 1997
Project type Single-family Residence with Accessory Unit
Variance type Reduction of Front Yard Setback
Legal description Lot 48, Block 1, Wildridge
Zoning Planned Unit Development (PUD) - two units
Address 2430 Saddle Ridge Loop
Introduction
The Commission reviewed the concept design on April 1, 1997. The applicant has since
modified the driveway access and maneuvering area design. These design solutions, however,
require a grant of variance to allow driveway retaining walls higher than four feet to encroach
into the 25 foot front yard setback.
The residence is an L-shaped structure with an accessory apartment over the garage. The primary
exterior material is stucco, accented with "cultured stone" river rock, wood beams, posts and
brackets. The site is relatively steep with slopes of 22%-28%. Vehicle access is difficult due the
steep embankment above the roadway. Views are to the west of the drainage and to the valley
beyond.
As a reminder, this application will require a public hearing and review of the requested variance,
then review and action on the project's Final Design. The following report details the review
criteria and consideration and required findings for both the variance and final design.
Variance Approval Criteria
According to the Section 17.36.040, the Avon Municipal Code, the Planning & Zoning
Commission shall consider the following factors with respect to the requested variance:
A. The relationship of the requested variance to other existing or potential uses and structures in
the vicinity;
The proposed retaining walls will allow the construction of a driveway consistent with the
general recommendations of the town's guidelines and regulations. Thus, this driveway and
retaining walls will be comparable with driveways on lots with similar access difficulties.
Town of Avon Community Development c:\server\p&z\1997\050697\48b1wr2.doc
(970) 949-4280 Fax (970) 949-5749
Lot 48, Block 1, Wildridge Subdivision; Final Design Review\Variance
May 6, 1997, Planning & Zoning Commission meeting
B. The degree to which relief from the strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of a
specified regulation is necessary to achieve compatibility and uniformity of treatment among
sites in the vicinity, or to attain the objectives of this title without grant of special privilege;
Access onto the site is hindered by the extremely steep road cut created by Saddle Ridge
Loop. The applicant claims that retaining walls within the 25 foot front yard setback are
necessary to achieve adequate driveway grades and sufficient maneuvering room in front of
the garage.
C. The effect of the requested variance on light and air, distribution of population, transportation
and traffic facilities, public facilities and utilities, and public safety;
The variance will allow construction of a driveway that meets the recommended grade of
4% from the edge of pavement to the property line, thus providing a safer site access.
A Such other factors and criteria as the Commission deems applicable to the proposed variance.
No comment.
Findings Required
According to Section 17.36.050 of the Avon Municipal Code, the Planning & Zoning
Commission shall make the following written findings before granting a variance:
A. That the granting of the variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent
with the limitations on other properties classified in the same district;
B. That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare,
or materially injurious to properties of improvements in the vicinity;
C. That the variance is warranted for one or more of the following reasons:
1. The strict, literal interpretation and enforcement of the specified regulation would result in
practical difficulty or unnecessary physical hardship inconsistent with the objectives of this
title;
2. There are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applicable to the site of
the variance that do not apply generally to other properties in the same zone;
3. The strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of the specified regulation deprive the
applicant of privileges enjoyed by the owners of other properties in the same district.
Design Review Considerations
According to the Commission's Procedures, Rules & Regulations, Section 6. 10, the Commission
shall consider the following items in reviewing the design of this project:
1. Conformance with the Zoning Code and other applicable regulations of the Town.
Allowed use: Conforms with the allowed residential use.
• Density: Conforms with the lot's two dwelling unit designation.
• Lot Coverage: 8% (50% maximum)
• Setbacks: The retaining walls for the driveway encroach into the 25 foot front yard
setback and require a variance.
• Easements: The proposed encroachments and grading in the 10' Slope Maintenance and
Snow Storage Easement are acceptable.
Town of Avon Community Development c:\server\p&z\1997\050697\48blwr2.doc
(970) 949-4280 Fax (970) 949-5749
Lot 48, Block 1, Wildridge Subdivision; Final Design Review\Variance
May 6, 1997, Planning & Zoning Commission meeting
• Building Height: 26' (35' limit)
• Grading: Site and driveway grades conform with Town standards.
• Parking: Two (2) garage and two (2) surface parking spaces. Three (3) spaces required.
• Snow Storage: Submitted plans show minimum required snow storage.
• Landscaping: Landscape plan appears suitable.
Appears to conform with the Zoning Code and other applicable regulations of the Town.
2. The suitability of the improvement, including type and quality of materials of which it is to be
constructed and the site upon which it is to be located.
Materials appear to be high quality, durable and low maintenance. Colors are either natural
or earthtone. Driveway retaining walls are concrete with river rock facing. Exterior light
fixtures are wall lanterns with seedy glass that should reduce off-site glare or light trespass.
3. The compatibility of the design to minimize site impacts to adjacent properties.
Due to this project's proposed location on the site and its stepping with the site's topography
both the solar and view corridors of neighboring properties should not be unnecessarily
affected.
4. The compatibility of the proposed improvements with site topography.
The site for this proposed duplex faces to the southwest. Retaining walls are effective
response to difficult site access. The building steps down the hill as recommended by the
Steep Slope Development Guidelines.
5. The visual appearance of any proposed improvement as viewed from adjacent and neighboring
properties and public ways.
The horizontal and vertical articulation of the structure create a massing compatible with the
site and the neighborhood.
6. The objective that no improvement be so similar or dissimilar to others in the vicinity that
values, monetary or aesthetic will be impaired.
The design's massing, articulations and responsiveness to the site present a positive addition
to the architecture found in Wildridge.
7. The general conformance of the proposed improvements with the adopted Goals, Policies and
Programs for the Town of Avon.
Generally conforms with the adopted Goals, Policies and Programs for the Town of Avon.
Staff Recommendation
This project, as presented, requires a grant of variance to construct retaining walls greater than 4
feet in the 25 foot front yard setback in addition to the action on the Final Design. Staff
recommends granting the variance and approving the Final Design.
Recommended Motions
Motion #1: Approve Planning & Zoning Resolution #97-7, granting a variance for Lot 48, Block
1, Wildridge Subdivision, to place portions of retaining walls in the 25 foot front yard setback, as
depicted on the plans dated "Received" April 7, 1997, based upon the following findings:
Town of Avon Community Development c:\server\p&z\1997\050697\48b1 wr2.doc
(970) 949-4280 Fax (970) 949-5749
Lot 48, Block 1, Wildridge Subdivision; Final Design Review\Variance
May 6, 1997, Planning & Zoning Commission meeting
A. That the granting of the variance does not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent
with the limitations on other properties classified in the same district;
B. That the granting of the variance does not be detrimental to the public health, safety or
welfare, or materially injurious to properties of improvements in the vicinity;
C. That the variance is warranted for the following reasons:
1. The strict, literal interpretation and enforcement of the specified regulation would result in
practical difficulty or unnecessary physical hardship inconsistent with the objectives of this
title;
2. There are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applicable to the site of
the variance that do not apply generally to other properties in the same zone;
3. The strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of the specified regulation deprive the
applicant of privileges enjoyed by the owners of other properties in the same district.
Motion #2: Approve Final Design for a single family house and accessory unit, on Lot 48, Block
1, Wildridge Subdivision, as depicted on the plans dated "Received" April 7, 1997, with the
following conditions:
1. All flues, flashing and galvanized metal will be painted to match surrounding materials.
2. All meters will be placed upon the building.
3. Automatic irrigation system will be installed.
4. During construction the first 20 feet of the drive will have at least 2 inches of 3/4" rock.
If you have any questions regarding this project or any planning matter, please call me at
949-4280 (extension 139), or stop by the Community Development Department.
Town of Avon Community Development c:\server\p&z\1997\050697\48blwr2.doc
(970) 949-4280 Fax (970) 949-5749
Lot 48, Block 1, Wildridge Subdivision; Final Design Review\Variance
May 6, 1997, Planning & Zoning Commission meeting
Planning & Zoning Commission Action
O Approved as submitted
❑ Denied
❑ Approved with conditions (noted below)
❑ Tabled
❑ Withdrawn by applicant
Conditions of approval, reasons for tabling or withdrawal of application, or basis for denial (refer
to code or guidelines by number):
Signed:
Date
Jack Hun ha"
Attest:
Date .s 6
Sue Railton, Secretary
Town of Avon Community Development c:\server\p&z\1997\050697\48blwr2.doc
(970) 949-4280 Fax (970) 949-5749