Sometimes your project needs to get special approvals outside of the normal permit review in order to get started. These variances or special exceptions to city code require approvals from the Board of Adjustments. La Sierra Planning Group is designed to be your advocate in this process to help keep your project moving forward. Our staff will manage the application process, community outreach, interactions with city staff, and prepare your public presentations on your behalf. The type of variance or special exception needed may depend on your project, but rest assured, La Sierra’s experiences with the Board of Adjustments will demonstrate that they are the best advocate for you. This is a short list of cases we have presented to the Board of Adjustments to secure the approvals needed to make projects successful.
Our Work
2111 Kathleen: La Sierra Planning Group worked with the property owner to gain a variance to the required front yard setback to keep the front porch attached to their home. La Sierra staff researched to discover that the property was smaller than all other lots within the zoning district, thereby creating an unnecessary hardship that was not created by the owner.
D.E.C. on Dragon
La Sierra Planning Group was entrusted to secure landscaping special exceptions to operate a restaurant. The restaurant building covers the entire property, therefore, there is no room for the planting of required new trees. La Sierra worked with city staff and the owner to identify a creative way to provide the trees without having to demolish 10 feet of the front part of the building. La Sierra was successful in securing a special exception to the landscape regulations with an alternative landscape plan in order for the restaurant open on time.
Tiny Victories
La Sierra Planning Group assisted the owner construct a new covered outside patio. However, portions of the patio were located within the identified visibility triangle from the parking lot drive approach. La Sierra worked with the Board of Adjustment staff to identify the actual impact of the patio within this encroachment to secure a favorable ruling. A special exception to the visibility obstruction regulations was gained in order to complete the construction of the patio.
The Whippersnapper
La Sierra Planning Group worked with the owner to prepare an application with the Board of Adjustment to prove the non-conforming rights were not intentionally forfeited despite a vacancy gap greater than six months. La Sierra worked with the owner to demonstrate that the space needed roof, electrical, and mechanical repairs prior to re-opening. We prepared a packet to show that the property was shown to bar tenants during the time of repairs. La Sierra was successful in securing a unanimous vote in favor to re-instate non-conforming rights to the property.
Bar Fly
As a non-conforming use, Bar Fly hired La Sierra Planning Group to secure their rights to operate. La Sierra prepared an application to the Board of Adjustment to re-instate their rights to open as a bar. La Sierra prepared evidence demonstrating TABC licenses, utility bills, and alcohol sales records since 1979. This evidence was coupled with copies of certificate of occupancies for all previous operators since it originally opened. The Board of Adjustment approved the case 5-0.