02415V;1.9-7b; JURGEN SAUERLAND -:Variance of 5' from minimum lot width at 7th Ave.,
north of Elm Street (RS-6)
Miss Charleson said this variance is needed in order to subdivide the
property. She said it is just north of Elm and west of 7th. She
showed an overlay of the proposed subdivision and said the variance
is requested on Lots 2, 3 and 4. She said all the lots have 1,000 sq. ft.
over that required and that the density will remain the same.. She said
the old lots had been platted prior to 1950, which is approximately when
this area was annexed to the City. The area of the lots is mostly in
depth, rather than width. Circumstances peculiar to this property are
that it is. comprised of old lots platted before restrictions were .
placed on the property. The houses will be required to meet all existing
setbacks and the subdivision is substantially in conformance with the
zoning code. The special condition does not result from actions of the
applicant but does render a hardship on him. Miss Charleson did not
believe this would be detrimental to abutting property owners. She
recommended approval as it'is compatible with the zoning code. Mr.
Bailey noted that across the street from this subdivision the same
amount of footage was subdivided into three lots and he liked to see
lot lines conform to each other. He felt that by giving a variance for
this subdivision four lots are being given where only three should be.
He was concerned that by giving the 15' variance the appearance of the
neighborhood would be upset. Mr. Hovde thought the people across the
street just chose to have larger lots, but Mr. Roy said he thought that
in most places where there are 60' lots there were 30' lots to begin with
and they had been combined. The public portion of the hearing was then
opened.
Joe Belissa of 1137 7th Ave. S., directly across the street from the
proposed subdivision, said it appeared to him that they were trying to
get three lots out of two. He said he had only lived there a year and
had hoped that when new houses were built there they would have the same
density. Louis Kribs of 1159 7th Ave. S. said he agreed with Mr. Bailey
and that it would not lend balance to the area. He felt it would decrease
the value of the area. John Claus of 1131 7th Ave. S. said he had bought
his home just two months prior and had bought it as a view home. He
said that by squeezing those houses in there that will set a precedent
and otherswill be that way, and his view will be ruined. Mr. Kribs said
he did not think a variance is needed, that two beautiful homes could be
built there. Mr. Roy said that in the past he had made motions to
approve 55' lots because in some areas it is practical. He said he feels
land should be used to its fullest, but he didn.'t know yet whether he
felt that way about this property. He noted that if along rambler were
built on a 60' lot you would cut off the view also. He said also that
a lot of houses in Edmonds are built on 30' lots. Bob Hanley of 852
Main St. said he was in no way involved with the property and that he
lives on a 60' lot and understands the 5' setback. He said 55' lots have
been accepted from time to time. He said they can put three houses in
here and meet the zoning requirements by changing the configuration of
the lots. He said he felt if they were going to put three houses there
it is just as wise to keep rectangular lots. He added that it is sad
that they are going to put three lots there, but rectangular lots are
the best. Dorothy Kribs felt this.proposal was merely for profit and
would add to the density. Mr. Roy replied that it would not increase
the density. It was pointed out that the three lots across the street
are the only three in the area that have been subdivided as they are,
and that where a whole block has been subdivided it has been done in the
manner of this proposed subdivision. The public portion of the meeting
was then closed.
EDMONDS BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
July 21, 1976 - Page 8