Rock Island Today

City of Rock Island Board of Zoning Appeals met Nov. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

ATTENDANCE:                (x) Present               ( ) Absent

(x ) Kevin Day                                                  (x) Dave McAdam

(x) Donald Mewes                                           ( ) Nicole Finnie

( ) Gary Snyder                                                (x) Bill Sowards

( ) Jeffrey Wright

Staff Present: Alan Fries.

Vice-Chairman McAdam called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

General Public Comments – There was no one present to make any general public comments. The meeting continued.

Approval of Written Agenda – Mr. Sowards made a motion to approve the written agenda for the meeting. Mr. Day seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Approval of Minutes – Mr. Day made a motion to approve the Minutes of the September 11, 2019 regular meeting. Mr. Mewes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Old Business- Approval of 2020 Meeting Schedule- Mr. Mewes made a motion to approve the 2020 Meeting Schedule. Mr. Sowards seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Procedural Explanation – Vice-Chairman McAdam explained the procedure to be followed for the public hearing.

Public Hearing #2019-18: The applicants, Elizabeth and Nick Fischer, haves filed a request for a variance of 4 feet of the 6 foot maximum fence height requirement in an R-3 (one and two family residence) district at 1558 42nd Street.

Mr. Fries presented the staff report. He explained that the zoning ordinance requires a six foot maximum fence height in a side or rear yard in a residential zoning district (Section 8.12). The applicant proposes to construct a ten (10) foot tall privacy fence along the south property line.

The applicants are making several improvements to the dwelling that located on a smaller than average lot size. They are requesting the variance to have more privacy and noise reduction from the business located to the south. Currently there is an existing six (6) foot privacy fence along the subject south property line that the applicants propose to replace with the taller privacy fence. The subject property is approximately two feet higher than the business property to the south, so the total height of the “privacy buffer” is now approximately eight (8) feet. Staff believes that a variance to allow an eight (8) foot tall privacy fence (creating a ten foot privacy buffer) will make less impact on the adjacent properties and be more in keeping with other privacy fences in a residential zoning district.

Vice-Chairman McAdams called for proponents.

Carlos Carrillo, 18507 49th Avenue North in East Moline, was sworn in. He said the fence would be constructed of wood with wrought iron between the cedar wood boards. He showed the Board a drawing of the fence. He said that the main reason for the ten foot height is to reduce the freestanding sign light from shinning onto their residence.

Nicolas Fischer, 734 Hillcrest Road in Milan, was sworn in. He said Mr. Carrillo is his son in law and that his daughter and Mr. Carrillo are going to reside in the property. He added they have spent 50 thousand dollars renovating the residence and property.

Vice-Chairman McAdams asked how long of a fence would it be. Mr. Carrillo replied approximately 86 feet in total length.

As no one else wished to speak, the public hearing was closed.

Decision Case #2019-18 – Mr. Sowards made a motion to approve the request because:

1. Reasonable Return: The variance will improve the return on the property.

2. Unique Circumstances: The property is smaller than the minimum lot area of 5,000 square feet identified in the Zoning Ordinance for an R-3 zoned lot.

3. Character Alteration: The variance will not alter the character of the neighborhood.

Mr. Mewes seconded the motion.

Mr. Carrillo asked if he could say something else. Vice-Chairman McAdams reopened the public hearing.

Mr. Carrillo said they would be fine with an eight foot tall fence if the freestanding sign was no on the neighbors property, but since it is there and lighted they would like the full variance for a ten foot tall fence. He added that he believes it would also make the business site more attractive.

Vice-Chairman McAdams closed the public hearing.

He called for a vote on the motion to approve the variance for a 10 foot tall cedar wood privacy fence with wrought iron between the wood boards, and it passed unanimously (Mewes, Sowards, Day and McAdam).

Adjournment:

Vice-Chairman McAdams adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.

https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11132019-482