ITEM03 C15-2025-0019 ADV PACKET JUN9 — original pdf

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BOA GENERAL REVIEW COVERSHEET CASE: C15-2025-0019 BOA DATE: Monday, June 9th, 2025 ADDRESS: 7211 Ridge Oak Rd OWNER: Rafael & Kathryn Reyes COUNCIL DISTRICT: 8 AGENT: N/A ZONING: SF-2-CO-NP (West Oak Hill) LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 19 BLK A WOODS OF LEGEND OAKS SEC 1 VARIANCE REQUEST: increase the fence height from six (6) feet (maximum allowed) to eight feet four inches (8’4”) feet (requested). SUMMARY: erect a maximum fence of up to 8 ft 4 inches along both interior side property lines and rear property line. ISSUES: topography ZONING LAND USES Site North South East West SF-2-CO-NP SF-2-CO-NP SF-2-CO-NP SF-2-CO-NP SF-2-CO-NP Single-Family Single-Family Single-Family Single-Family Single-Family NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District Circle C Neighborhood Assn. Covered Bridge Property Owners Association, Inc. Estates of Loma Vista HOA Friends of Austin Neighborhoods Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods (OHAN) Oak Hill Neighborhood Plan – COA Liaison Oak Hill Neighborhood Plan Contact Team Oak Hill Trails Association Save Barton Creek Association Save Our Springs Alliance TNR BCP – Travis County Natural Resources Woods of Legend Oaks ITEM03/1May 21, 2025 Kathryn Reyes 7211 Ridge Oak Rd Austin TX, 78749 Property Description: LOT 19 BLK A WOODS OF LEGEND OAKS SEC 1 Re: C15-2025-0019 Dear Kathryn, Austin Energy (AE) has reviewed your application for the above referenced property, requesting that the Board of Adjustment consider a variance request from LDC Section 25-2-899 at 7211 Ridge Oak Road. that any proposed or Austin Energy does not oppose existing improvements follow Austin Energy’s Clearance & Safety Criteria, the National Electric Safety Code, and OSHA requirements. Any removal or relocation of existing facilities will be at the owner’s/applicant’s expense. the request, provided Please use this link to be advised of our clearance and safety requirements which are additional conditions of the above review action: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/utilities_criteria_manual?nodeId=S1AUENDECR_1 .10.0CLSARE If you require further information or have any questions regarding the above comments, please contact our office. Thank you for contacting Austin Energy. Rosemary Avila, Planning Officer Infrastructure Services | Austin Energy 4815 Mueller Blvd Austin, TX 78723 (512) 972-8488 Rosemary.avilla@austinenergy.com ITEM03/2ITEM03/3Portion of the City of Austin Land Development Code applicant is seeking a variance from: Section 25-2-899 Fences as Accessory Uses from the 6’ (required) to fence height of no more ____________________________________________________________________________ than 8 feet 4 inches along property fence line. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ (cid:21)(cid:28)(cid:26)(cid:42)(cid:31)(cid:37)(cid:36) (cid:6)(cid:11) (cid:23)(cid:24)(cid:40)(cid:31)(cid:24)(cid:36)(cid:26)(cid:28) (cid:15)(cid:31)(cid:36)(cid:27)(cid:31)(cid:36)(cid:30)(cid:41) The Board must determine the existence of, sufficiency of, and weight of evidence supporting the findings described below. Therefore, you must complete each of the applicable Findings Statements as part of your application. Failure to do so may result in your application being rejected as incomplete. Please attach any additional supporting documents. NOTE: The Board cannot grant a variance that would provide the applicant with a special privilege not enjoyed by others similarly situated or potentially similarly situated. I contend that my entitlement to the requested variance is based on the following findings: Reasonable Use The zoning regulations applicable to the property do not allow for a reasonable use because: ____________________________________________________________________________ The current zoning regulation limiting fence height to 6 feet creates an unreasonable use of our property due to the unique ____________________________________________________________________________ topography and elevation differences with adjacent lots. Our home's finished floor elevation is over 48" off the ground in addition to a ____________________________________________________________________________ downward slope on our property than three neighboring properties, resulting in clear, direct lines of sight into and from multiple ____________________________________________________________________________ adjoining backyards and windows. This elevation gap defeats the purpose of the 6-foot fence, which fails to provide meaningful privacy or safety for our family of seven. We are unable to use our outdoor space freely without feeling constantly exposed. In ____________________________________________________________________________ essence, the standard fence height, while sufficient for level lots, renders our yard functionally public in a neighborhood intended for ____________________________________________________________________________ private, single-family living. The zoning regulation, as applied to our lot, imposes a disproportionate burden and restricts us from enjoying the most basic residential use: safe, private outdoor space. ____________________________________________________________________________ Hardship a) The hardship for which the variance is requested is unique to the property in that: ____________________________________________________________________________ The current zoning creates a hardship because it does not account for the unique physical conditions of our lot, including a steep grade that causes our finished floor elevation to sit more than 48" above our ground, to which then slopes down to our neighboring properties (within 50 ____________________________________________________________________________ feet). These conditions create severe privacy and safety challenges that the standard 6-foot fence cannot mitigate. The proximity of mature ____________________________________________________________________________ trees along the rear property line also introduces safety risks, as they allow our children to climb and cross into adjacent yards. This hardship ____________________________________________________________________________ is not shared by the majority of homes in the area, which are more level and/or enjoys greater structural setbacks. As a result, the existing zoning regulation imposes a disproportionate constraint on our ability to enjoy and safely use our property in the same way as our neighbors. ____________________________________________________________________________ b) The hardship is not general to the area in which the property is located because: This is an unusual hardship for the area because our lot combines several rare conditions not commonly found together in the neighborhood: a ____________________________________________________________________________ significant downward slope from our home with four adjacent properties, a finished floor elevation over 48" higher than three of those properties, ____________________________________________________________________________ and mature trees positioned directly along the fence line that create safety concerns by allowing children to climb over into neighboring yards. ____________________________________________________________________________ Additionally, three neighboring properties and homes are within feet from our rear fence and at a lower elevation, intensifying the privacy intrusion as we both can see directly into each others living spaces including primary bedrooms. Most other lots in our subdivision are flatter, ____________________________________________________________________________ have greater building setbacks, and do not face this combination of elevation, slope, and tree access. There is no other lot in our neighborhood ____________________________________________________________________________ who's front yard is shared with 100% of the rear property line of an adjacent neighbor (7200 Gentle Oak Dr), along with 1/3 of (7204 Gentle Oak Dr) the entire rear property adjacent to another (6308 Poncha Pass) and another side yard 100% adjacent to 7215 Ridge Oak Rd. These overlapping conditions make our situation unique and not general to the area. City of Austin | Board of Adjustment General/Parking Variance Application (cid:21)(cid:18)(cid:28)(cid:18)(cid:21)(cid:21) | Page 5 of 8 ITEM03/4 Area Character The variance will not alter the character of the area adjacent to the property, will not impair the use of adjacent conforming property, and will not impair the purpose of the regulations of the zoning district in which the property is located because: ____________________________________________________________________________ Granting this variance will have a positive effect on adjacent properties by enhancing mutual privacy, reducing sightlines between ____________________________________________________________________________ homes, and improving overall safety. The proposed 8-foot fence will create a respectful visual barrier between our home and ____________________________________________________________________________ neighboring yards, especially important given our elevated finished floor and the close proximity of structures at lower elevations. ____________________________________________________________________________ Neighbors on either side have expressed support, recognizing that the taller fence will benefit them as well by shielding their living spaces from direct view. The fence will also reduce the risk of our young children climbing over into adjoining yards, improving safety ____________________________________________________________________________ and reducing liability for all parties. Its design being horizontal wood slats with black steel posts will complement neighborhood ____________________________________________________________________________ aesthetics and increase property appeal without impairing any existing conforming use. Parking (additional criteria for parking variances only) Request for a parking variance requires the Board to make additional findings. The Board may grant a variance to a regulation prescribed in the City of Austin Land Development Code Chapter 25-6, Appendix A with respect to the number of off-street parking spaces or loading facilities required if it makes findings of fact that the following additional circumstances also apply: 1. Neither present nor anticipated future traffic volumes generated by the use of the site or the uses of sites in the vicinity reasonably require strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of the specific regulation because: n/a ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ 2. The granting of this variance will not result in the parking or loading of vehicles on public streets in such a manner as to interfere with the free flow of traffic of the streets because: ____________________________________________________________________________ n/a ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ 3. The granting of this variance will not create a safety hazard or any other condition inconsistent with the objectives of this Ordinance because: ____________________________________________________________________________ does not block or create safety hazards ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ 4. The variance will run with the use or uses to which it pertains and shall not run with the site because: ____________________________________________________________________________ this is s specifically tied to the residential use of the property and the unique conditions impacting privacy and safety for current occupants. Should the property’s use change , the conditions justifying the variance—such as elevation disparities, existing mature trees, and proximity ____________________________________________________________________________ of adjacent homes—may no longer apply, and the variance would not be relevant or necessary under different circumstances. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ City of Austin | Board of Adjustment General/Parking Variance Application (cid:21)(cid:18)(cid:28)(cid:18)(cid:21)(cid:21) | Page 6 of 8 ITEM03/5ITEM03/6Additional Space (continued) _______________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for your time and consideration of our request. We love our home and our neighborhood, _______________________________________________________________________________ and we are committed to being respectful and thoughtful members of the community. Our goal in _______________________________________________________________________________ requesting this fence height variance is not to alter the character of our area, but to adapt to some _______________________________________________________________________________ very specific challenges on our property that impact our family’s privacy, safety, and peace of mind. _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ The slope of our lot, the elevated height of our home compared to adjacent neighbors, and the _______________________________________________________________________________ presence of mature trees with low branches create a situation where the standard 6-foot fence _______________________________________________________________________________ simply does not provide the necessary screening or security. We’ve had experiences where our _______________________________________________________________________________ children have attempted to climb these trees and with the existing fence (our neighbors) being _______________________________________________________________________________ capped and lower height at 6’ - it has allowed them to use as a ladder into the other yard with an _______________________________________________________________________________ unleashed dog, raising real concerns for their safety. Additionally, the close proximity of neighboring _______________________________________________________________________________ windows—some within 10–12 feet of our fence line—means that without a taller fence, there is a _______________________________________________________________________________ continuous and direct view into our yard and living areas. _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ We’ve worked to find a solution that is balanced and thoughtful. We’ve consulted with a majority of _______________________________________________________________________________ our neighbors of whom support our request and share similar concerns. We are not seeking a _______________________________________________________________________________ blanket exception, but a measured adjustment in response to the natural features and layout of our _______________________________________________________________________________ property. _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ We kindly ask for your understanding and support in allowing us to keep our constructed higher _______________________________________________________________________________ fence along our property lines. This adjustment would provide a much-needed improvement to the _______________________________________________________________________________ livability of our home without creating any negative impact on the surrounding community. We are _______________________________________________________________________________ grateful for the opportunity to present our case and for your service on this board. _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ I will share pictures for reference as well as letters of support from our neighbors who are directly _______________________________________________________________________________ impacted. _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ City of Austin | Board of Adjustment General/Parking Variance Application (cid:21)(cid:18)(cid:28)(cid:18)(cid:21)(cid:21) | Page 8 of 8 ITEM03/7 HIOGE. OA!x 'ROAD :/4.J�,';t (6r�•·.- \. . 0 �. LDl" �.1�JE 'Cf TffJ.S; t:GttfrY ·or r�11s ITEM03/81ft grade drop 8’1” 7’3” 6’10” Gate Gate 7’1” 7’7” 7’7” 8’1” 8’3” 7’10” ITEM03/91ft grade drop 8’1” 7’3” 6’10” Gate Gate 7’1” 7’7” 7’7” 8’1” 8’3” 7’10” ITEM03/10ITEM03/11PROJECT TITLE / NAME: DATE / LOCATION: PROJECT OVERVIEW: RAFAELREYES FENCE SOUTHWEST AUSTIN HORIZONTAL WRCFENCE 77 70 PETE gi 3838L ji 2PEEEL 43 8 IE 99 81 CONC NAILERS 54 MIOSUPPORT 24 NAILS 5976 85 54 24 1Box7200or 2 3600 ITEM03/12 Horizontal Picket Fence A modern, streamlined look where the pickets run horizontally. Emphasizes a clean design and is best paired with premium wood (preferably Western Red Cedar) for minimal warping. Posts GROUND CONTACT RATED NO.2 4"X4" PRESSURE TREATED PINE HEAVY DUTY/SCH. 20 GALVANIZED STEEL TUBING 2-3/8” DIAMETER 2" OR 3" GALVANIZED STEEL SQUARE TUBING, POWDER COATED BLACK Mid-support NO. 2 WESTERN RED CEDAR 2” X 2” NO. 2 SEVERE WEATHER RATED PRESSURE TREATED PINE 2” X 2” Picket Width: 6-inch (actual width is 5.5”) 4-inch (actual width is 3.5”) Thickness: 5/8" 3/4" FLAT-TOP WESTERN RED CEDAR l ITEM03/13Horizontal Picket Fence A modern, streamlined look where the pickets run horizontally. Emphasizes a clean design and is best paired with premium wood (preferably Western Red Cedar) for minimal warping. Nailer Board No. 2 Western Red Cedar 2”x 4” No. 2 Severe Weather Rated Pressure Treated Pine 2”x 4” Trims 3.5" Picket Other: NO TRIM REQ Additional Materials Concrete Fasteners (Hot-dipped, ring-shanked galvanized nails) Gate hardware (if applicable) Caps, brackets, and lag bolts ITEM03/14VERTICAL FENCE HORIZONTAL FENCE BULL PANEL FENCE ORNAMENTAL FENCE ITEM03/15ITEM03/16ITEM03/17ITEM03/18ITEM03/19ITEM03/20ITEM03/21ITEM03/22ITEM03/23ITEM03/24