Board of Adjustment Meeting August 17, 2021 (Versión en español a continuación) Board of Adjustment to be held August 17, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Aug 16, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 17, 2021 Board of Adjustment Meeting, members of the public must: Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-2202 or elaine.ramirez@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (Aug 16, 2021 the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. Handouts or other information may be emailed to elaine.ramirez@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Board of Adjustment - FECHA de la reunion (August 17, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Aug 16, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunion August 17, 2021, los miembros del público deben: Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512-974-2202 o elaine.ramirez@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (August 16, 2021 el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de …
Board of Adjustment Deep Dive: Key Topics & Issues Development Services Department August 17, 2021 1 Agenda ● General Background & History of BOA ● Core BOA functions & requirements: Variances Special Exceptions Appeals BOA Process Issues ● Boat Dock Regulations ● Environmental & Lake/Shoreline Regulations ● Residential Review 2 …..but first, introductions: BOA Members Michael Von Ohlen Kelly Blume Melissa Hawthorne Brooke Bailey Jessica Cohen Barbara McArthur Richard Smith Daryl Pruett Agustina Rodriguez Carrie Waller Rahm McDaniel Nicholl Wade Thomas Ates City Staff Jennifer Verhulst Chris Johnson Elaine Ramirez Diana Ramirez Lyndi Garwood Susan Barr Liz Johnston Keith Mars Lee Simmons 3 • • Zoning Boards of Adjustment Included in the 1929 model “state zoning enabling act,” promulgated by U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Intended to provide greater flexibility by authorizing “variation” of zoning regulations and provide administrative oversight. • Unlike municipal planning/zoning commissions, which performs a mix of advisory and decision-making functions, all BOA functions are quasi-judicial. 4 Austin’s Board of Adjustment • Austin’s BOA established by 1931 zoning ordinance: 5 Zoning Variances 6 Variance Criteria per Land Development Code Findings for Approval Guidelines No Reasonable Use The requirement does not allow for a reasonable use of property. Determined by context. Landowner needn’t prove a “taking” (i.e., loss of all economically viable use), but desire for “highest & best” use is insufficient. Harship Area Character Harship is unique to the property and is not generally characteristic of the area in which the property is located. Typically involves features of the property itself, but overall context of development may also be considered. Development under the variance does not: (a) alter the character of the area adjacent to the property; (b) impair the use of adjacent property; or (c) impair the purposes of the applicable zoning district regulations. Considers how development allowed by variance would impact properties differently than development without a variance, as well as well as development patterns in the surround area and goals of the regulations 7 Variance Standard per State Law Per Chapter 211 of the Local Government Code, a board of adjustment may: “[A]uthorize in specific cases a variance from the terms of a zoning ordinance if the variance is not contrary to the public interest and, due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of the ordinance is …
Site Plan Review for Boat Docks What Site Plan reviews… • Site information - Zoning and use - Plat - Size of the lot • Setbacks - 10’ from adjacent property line - 75’ or 25’ if platted prior to April 22, 1982 or lot less than 200’ deep. Structure Information • Square footage - A maximum of 1,200 sq. ft. • Dock height – 30 ft. • Extension into the lake – 30 ft. • Navigational safety light at furthest extension • Maximum of 20% of the shoreline in width • Allowed up to 2 motorboats • Must be at least 66% open on all sides. • Allowed 48 sq. ft. of storage space. • Cluster docks allowed 600 sq. ft. for each unit Non-complying Structures • Removal of no more than 50% of walls and • Replacement or repair of structural elements supporting structures including framing. • Damaged or destroyed structures may be restored to its original footprint within 12 months. - Evidence of original foot print - Insurance claim for structure Thank You! Clarissa Davis Clarissa.Davis@austinrtexas.gov (512)974-1423
Environmental Considerations for Austin’s Lakes Presented to: Board of Adjustment August 17, 2021 Liz Johnston, Deputy Environmental Officer LAKE AUSTIN - Finding the Balance • Drinking Water • Residential • Commercial • Boating/Marina • Parkland • Fishing • Passive Recreation Environmental Issues Zebra Mussels Bank Erosion Shoreline Erosion Poor Shoreline Habitat Non-Complying Structures Compliance/Work Without Permits Wave Impacts Riparian Zone Functions A robust shoreline vegetative community improves water quality, prevents erosion, and aids in flood control. Trees & deep-rooted plants prevent erosion. Dense shoreline development degrades shoreline health. Poor Riparian Function VS Good Riparian Function Poor Functioning Good Functioning Costs of Degraded Water Quality ▪ Water treatment costs due to suspended sediment ▪ Algae proliferations ▪ Poor fishery ▪ Lowered Austin Lake Index scores in ▪ Habitat ▪ Invertebrates ▪ Vegetation Environmental Review • Site plan & Subdivision compliance with LDC 25-8 Subchapter A • Boat docks/shoreline modifications/shoreline access require site plans • DSD environmental review staff • CWQZ compliance • Erosion controls • Restoration • Cut/Fill • WPD environmental review staff • CEF setbacks • Bulkheads • Dredging • Land capture/fill in the lake • Floodplain modifications & restoration (riparian functioning) § 25-8-261 Critical Water Quality Zone Trams Stairs CWQZ on all Lakes: - 75’ from shoreline (492.8 msl) for single family - 100’ for all other uses (1) A dock, bulkhead or marina, and necessary access and appurtenances, are permitted in a critical water quality zone subject to compliance with Chapter 25-2, Subchapter C, Article 12 (Docks, Bulkheads, and Shoreline Access) Gangways § 25-8-281(C) Critical Environmental Features Canyon Rimrock and 150’ CEF Buffer Canyon Rimrock Wetland Seep Spring § 25-8-652 – Restrictions on Development Impacting Lakes Unpermitted fill in Lake (A) The requirements of this section apply to development on or adjacent to Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, or Lake Walter E. Long. (B) Except as otherwise provided by this section, placing fill or dredging in a lake is prohibited. (C) A retaining wall, bulkhead, or other erosion protection device may not capture or recapture land from a lake unless doing so is required to restore the shoreline to whichever of the following boundaries would encroach the least into the lake: (1) the shoreline as it existed 10 years prior to the date of application, with documentation as prescribed by the Environmental Criteria Manual; or (2) the lakeside boundary of the subdivided lot line. (D) A bulkhead may …
Residential Review at the City of Austin Susan Barr Board of Adjustment Board Members – August 17, 2021 Building a Better Austin Together TOPICS • Overview • Zoning Review • Technical Review • Community Outreach o What Can be built o Red Flags o o o o o Helpful Tips Permit History Search Expired Permits Exempt Work Permit Requirements Building a Better Austin Together OVERVIEW We permit residential building types that fall under the International Residential Code (IRC) and their accessory structures. a. One and two family dwelling units no more than (3) stories above grade b. Townhouses that are no more than (3) stories above grade and don’t have overlapping units c. Pools d. Garages & carports Building a Better Austin Together Zoning Review 1. Zoning a. Common classifications i. ii. iii. iv. v. LA RR DR SF-1, SF-2, SF-3, SF-4A, SF-5, SF-6 MF b. (+/- 60) neighborhood plans c. (6) NCCD’s d. Conditional Overlays e. Subchapter F f. PUDs g. Driveway & Sidewalk h. Parking i. Use i. ii. iii. iv. Single family Secondary apartments Two family Accessory Uses Building a Better Austin Together Technical Review 1. International Residential Code - Chapters 1-3, 5, 6, 8 2. Fire Resistance Rated Construction 3. Visitability Ordinance Building a Better Austin Together Community Outreach – What can be built? • • • Depends on the zoning classification and the existing conditions a. Impervious cover b. Building cover c. Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) How to find a property’s zoning: http://www.austintexas.gov/gis/ propertyprofile/ Building a Better Austin Together Community Outreach – Red Flags 1. Converted garage 2. Windows &/or the interior does not match the age of the house 3. No permit found for date on equipment Unpermitted work needs to be permitted and is to be included with the proposed scope of work. Building a Better Austin Together Community Outreach - Permit History Search https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/permit/public-search-other BACK DATE TO 1980 Building a Better Austin Together Community Outreach – Expired Permits • • • • If solely a remodel or stand alone trade permit before March 2007, the permits can be voided Can be reactivated if they have not been reactivated in the past If previously received a reactivation, a review of the project will need to be conducted before reactivation Age of permit might qualify for a life safety inspection once reactivated Building a Better Austin Together Community Outreach – Exempt Work City …
