BRENHAM BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PASSES, DENIES SEPARATE REQUESTS

  

The Brenham Board of Adjustment took opposite actions on a series of requests at its meeting Monday.

Following a public hearing, the board unanimously denied a setback variance request from Kathie Boehnemann to allow a 0-foot south side setback where a minimum of 10 feet is required.  The setback variance would have allowed for the construction of a carport at 505 Hosea Street.

City staff said that granting the variance would render the property without a side yard setback on either side, which would, according to the agenda packet, “defeat the intent of the patio home regulations contained in the zoning ordinance.”

Project Planner Shauna Laauwe explained that per state law, variances apply to an entire property, not just a particular structure.  She also said variances go to the land, not the property owner, so if the variance were approved, a future owner of the property would be able to replace the carport with a full addition to the home.

After a second public hearing, the board then unanimously approved two requests from Nelson Sosa and Katherine Hawes, who plan to develop a five-unit, three-story multifamily apartment building in the downtown business/residential overlay district at 411 Church Street.

The requests approved by the board are for a variance to allow a 10-foot north side setback where a minimum of 15 feet is needed, and for a special exception to allow parking to be located to the front of the property where parking is normally required to the rear.

Click here to view the packet for Monday's meeting.