HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Board of Adjustment - 07/28/2021 MINUTES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1201 LEOPARD STREET JULY 28, 2021 1:30 P.M. BOARD MEMBERS: STAFF: Shawn Karaca, Chair Andrew Dimas, ZBA Administrator David Walker, Vice-Chair Sterling Brown, Assistant City Attorney Burris McRee Catherine Garza, Agenda Coordinator Gordon Robinson Nina Nixon-Mendez, Assistant Director Ricardo D. Barrera, Jr. Danny Graves (Alternate) I. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL Chairman Karaca called the meeting to order, and a quorum was established with no absences. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 26, 2021 IV. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: None. V. APPEALS – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING: 1. Appeal No. ZBA 0721-01, D&G Resources, LLC. and the City of Corpus Christi: Variance to reduce the parking requirements on a tract of land addressed as 209 South Carancahua Street and associated properties and described as Lots 1 thru 6, Block 7, South Bluff and Lots 2 thru 4 and 11 thru 13, Block 5, South Bluff, located along the east and west side of South Tancahua Street, south of Cooper’s Alley, and north of Kinney Street. Andrew Dimas, Development Services, presented item “1” for the record. For location purposes, he presented an aerial view of the subject property along with a site plan. The applicant is providing 105 parking spaces (141 spaces required) and is therefore requesting a 26% reduction. He noted that the subject property is serviced by multiple Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) bus routes. Two bus stops are closely located at the intersection of Kinney Street/South Tancahua Street and at Kinney Street/South Carancahua Street. He informed the Board that of the 21 public notices mailed, three notices were returned in favor and one notice was returned in opposition. After review, City staff has determined that the proposed variance does meet the required findings described in Section 3.25.3.A of the UDC. To summarize the required findings: 1. The subject property is redevelopment project and designed for affordable housing. 2. Granting the variance would not cause significant detriment as it is infill development on vacant properties; the redevelopment of the site of an abandoned building. 3. While there is no defined “need” for the requested variance, many affordable housing residents are single-car households and/or utilize public transportation. 4. While request is technically a result of a self-created hardship, the need for affordable housing and the existence of multiple CCRTA routes justifies the requested reduction. 5. The granting of the variance is in line with the housing goals and strategies of Plan CC and the Unified Development Code (UDC). Staff recommends approval of the variance with the conditions that on-street parking spaces be striped along South Carancahua Street, South Tancahua Street, Kinney Street, and Carrizo Street or a shared parking plan is initiated with a property in proximity to the subject property to mitigate the spaces lost on-site. After Staff’s presentation, the floor was opened for comments/questions from the Board. Mr. McRee asked how many spaces are gained from the on-street parking. Staff stated that with the addition of on-street parking, it will contribute to the deficit of 36 spaces if not more. Mr. Barerra asked about the width of the streets. After discussion concluded, Chairman Karaca opened the public hearing. Representing the applicant, George Clower, addressed the Board in support of the appeal request. He mentioned the other local developments that have been done by the applicant and compared each of their parking scenarios. He believes there will be adequate parking available provided by the on-street accommodations. With no one else coming forward the public hearing was closed. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Walker (required findings cited as listed above) to approve the appeal with the condition listed in Staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Mr. McRee and the motion passed unanimously. VI. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: None. VII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None. VIII. ADJOURNMENT `There being no further business to discuss, Chairman Karaca adjourned the meeting at 1:45 p.m.