Planning Report
ZBA17-0002 / Solar Panel Support Structure
City Council District 2
Zoning Board of Adjustment
October 30, 2017
REQUEST:
Title
Hold a public hearing and consider approval of a variance from Denton Development Code Section 35.5.2.3, General Regulations, relating to the minimum front and side yard setbacks on approximately 0.18 acre. The variance requested is for the construction of a solar panel support structure which would encroach into the minimum 20-foot front yard setback and minimum 6-foot side yard setback. The subject property is generally located on the north side of Hummingbird Lane, approximately 540 feet west of Cardinal Drive. (ZBA17-0002, Solar Panel Support Structure, Julie Wyatt).
Body
OWNER AND APPLICANT:
Sharon and Bill Barnhill
BACKGROUND:
The applicant is requesting a variance from the minimum front and side yard setbacks in order to construct an addition to an existing single-family dwelling. The subject property is zoned Neighborhood Residential 4 (NR-4) District, which per Section 35.5.2.3 of the Denton Development Code (DDC), requires a minimum 20-foot front yard setback and a minimum 6-foot side yard setback. The proposed addition is intended to support solar panels for use by the dwelling unit.
The existing single-family dwelling is constructed with a front-entry garage and is set back 26.2 feet from the front property line and 7.3 feet from the side property line. The proposed solar panel structure would be constructed over the existing driveway, extending 25 feet in front of the dwelling unit, encroaching approximately 18.8 feet into the 20-foot front setback. It would also extend approximately 7 feet to the side, encroaching into the 6-foot minimum setback. According to the applicant's narrative, due to existing tree canopy coverage, the proposed location for the addition is necessary to provide adequate sunlight for the solar panels to be most effective.
In order to construct the solar panel support structure, th...
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