Council Members: Brenda Stardig J erry Davis Ellen R. Cohen Dwight A.

Dwight A. Boykins David Martin Richard Nguyen Oliver Pennington Edward

Gonzalez Robert Gallegos Mike Laster Larry V. Green Stephen C. Costello David Robinson Michael Kubosh C.O. Brad
Bradford J ack Christie Controller: Ronald C. Green


CITY OF HOUSTON
Planning and Development



Annise D. Parker

Mayor


Patrick Walsh, P.E.
Director
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, Texas 77251-1562

T. 713.837.7701
F. 713.837.7703
www.houstontx.gov

August 13, 2014

NOTICE OF VARIANCE REQUEST
PROJECT NAME: Montrose Addition partial replat no 6
REFERENCE NUMBER: 2014-1839

Dear Property Owner:

The Planning and Development Department has received a subdivision application with a variance request for
a property located east of Montrose Street, north of Marshall Street and south of Kipling Street. You are
receiving this letter because you are listed in the Harris County Appraisal District records as a neighboring
owner for property that falls within the Chapter 42 required notification area adjacent to this variance request.

Vernon G. Henry & Associates, Inc., the applicant has filed the request on behalf of Montrose & Marshall, LLC,
the developer of the subject site. The applicant is requesting a variance to allow a 10 building line, instead of
the required 25 building line, along Montrose Boulevard. Enclosed are copies of the variance request, and
proposed subdivision plat, submitted by the applicant.

The Planning and Development Department staff is currently reviewing this application and will present a
recommendation to the Houston Planning Commission. The Commission is the non-legislative body authorized
to review and render decisions on subdivision applications and requests. The meeting at which this item will
first be considered is listed below. A sign with this information has also been posted on the project site.


PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING INFORMATION:
Thursday, August 21, 2014, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
City Hall Annex Building, 900 Bagby Street
City Council Chamber, Public Level, Houston, Texas

Members of the public may attend the meeting to make comments or express concerns about the proposed
project. For additional information regarding this project, please call Mary Lou Henry of Vernon G. Henry &
Associates, Inc., at (713) 627-8666. You may also contact Muxian Fang with the Planning and Development
Department regarding this notice via email at planning.variances@houstontx.gov or call (713) 837-7701. To
view the complete Planning Commission meeting agenda, go to www.houstonplanning.com. Information on the
reverse side of this page explains more about the terminology used in this letter.

Para ms informacin acerca de este documento, favor de llamar a Hector Rodriguez del
Departamento de Planificacin y Desarrollo al 713-837-7816.



VAR
TERMINOLOGY
CHAPTER 42: The City of Houstons, Code of Ordinances that describes the rules and regulations for subdividing
property within the corporate limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION (ETJ): Represents the area extending beyond Houstons corporate limits
approximately five miles into the unincorporated areas of Harris, Fort Bend, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller
counties.
SUBDIVISION PLAT: A graphical presentation of a particular surveyed tract of land laying out street rights-of-
way, lots and reserves, building setback lines, and easements which must comply with the development
requirements of the City of Houstons, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 42. These regulations, adopted by City
Council, are intended to promote the safe, orderly and healthy development of the City and its extraterritorial
jurisdiction. The approved map subsequently may be filed and recorded with the appropriate county clerks office
as the official map of record for this property.
SUBDIVISION REPLAT: Is simply a subdivision plat that further subdivides an existing subdivision plat. Typically,
a replat will make changes to the layout of lots, reserves, building setback lines and easements.
VARIANCE: A deviation from strict compliance with the rules and regulations of Chapter 42. The applicant must
document a reasonable hardship that staff can evaluate.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION: A commission-approved adjustment to the certain standards of Chapter 42. The
applicant must document existing special circumstances unique to the land that justify modification of the
development standards.

PLANNING COMMISSION BODY, AUTHORITY AND OBLIGATION
The Houston Planning Commission is a non-legislative body authorized to govern the subdivision rules and
regulations described in Chapter 42. The Commission consists of 25 members and meets every two weeks per
their adopted Commission meeting schedule.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF, AUTHORITY AND OBLIGATION
Development Services Division reviews subdivision plats, replats and development plats for compliance with the
rules and regulations described in Chapter 42. Development plats must also comply with Chapter 26 (Offstreet
Parking and Loading) and Chapter 33 (Trees, Shrubs and Screening Fences).

CITY OF HOUSTON SEC. 42-82 AND 42-83
Notification to property owners within 250 feet of certain proposed development applications with a requested
variance is required. The proposed development must be located within the city limits.

PROPERTY OWNERSHIP INFORMATION
For notification purposes, property ownership information and property owner mailing addresses are obtained
from the most recent property tax rolls of the county in which the property is located.
Addressed envelopes and postage are provided by the applicant.


VARIANCE
Request Information Form
Application Number: 2014-1985
Plat Name: Montrose Addition partial replat no 6
Applicant: Vernon G. Henry & Associates, Inc.
Date Submitted: 08/11/2014
(Sec. 42-47 and Sec. 42-81)
Specific Variance is being sought and extent of variance:
To allow a 10 setback on Montrose Blvd. after dedicating 5 of right-of-way widening
Chapter 42 Section: 150
Chapter 42 Reference:
Sec. 42-150. Building line requirement. (d) The following chart is a summary of certain building line requirements of this
chapter and is intended for illustrative purposes only. In case of any conflict between the chart and the text of this
chapter, the text shall control. Type of Street or Private Roadway: Major Thoroughfares Tract Description: In general
Minimum Building Line Requirement: 25 feet
Statement of Facts
(1a) The imposition of the terms, rules, conditions, policies and standards of this chapter would create an
undue hardship by depriving the applicant of the reasonable use of the land; OR
(1b) Strict application would make this project infeasible due to the existence of unusual physical
characteristics that affect the property in question, or would create an impractical development or one
otherwise contrary to sound public policy;
This property at the corner of Montrose and Marshall replaces two old building, originally homes but converted to offices
many years ago. The one on the corner was constructed on the property line with no setback on Montrose or on
Marshall. Th Montrose is one of the few truly walkable areas of the City and has a high pedestrian population. Many
existing buildings along Montrose are constructed on the property line or within the 25 setback; the closeness adds
greatly to the pedestrian character of the area. The proposed residential condominium will have a balconies directly
overlooking Montrose Blvd. Broad steps will invite people in and out and will be a good spot to sit and watch street life.
The garage at street level will be hidden by a decorative metal screen. The large oak tree on Montrose near the Marshall
corner is to be preserved and other large trees (4 minimum caliper) are to be added. Paving along the Montrose side
will form a plaza appropriate to an urban area with decorative contrasting bands but small plant beds will add interest.
The landscaping will include a seating wall; existing street lights will be supplemented by pedestrian level lighting on
both Montrose and Marshall. In the inner- city, Montrose is one of the few Major Thoroughfares that requires more than
80 of right-of-way. (In this section, it has 90 and 100 is planned). On those thoroughfares, a setback of 15 would be
allowed for a project like this, even though most are not as pedestrian-friendly as Montrose Blvd. There are no current
plans to widen Montrose; widening will be difficult because there are numerous existing structures built on the property
line which would need to be acquired at great expense. If this building were to be setback 25 in addition to the 5 of
widening, the area would likely be fenced for the private use of residents or used for surface parking, rather than creating
an enhanced pedestrian realm. adjacent.
(2) The circumstances supporting the granting of the variance are not the result of a hardship created or
imposed by the applicant;
The character of Montrose Blvd. was established many years ago, with most buildings close to the street and sidewalks
in front of all properties shaded by large trees. This proposed project will compliment and enhance the existing
character.
(3) The intent and general purposes of this chapter will be preserved and maintained;
Among the purposes of Chapter 42 are establishing setback lines appropriate to an area, recognizing the differences in
design framework of various areas, encouraging efficiency of land development patterns and encouraging the pedestrian
use of sidewalks. The development proposed is consistent with these purposes.
(4) The granting of the variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety or welfare;
Page 1 of 2
Automobile access to the parking is grouped at a single location, limiting conflict points with pedestrians in this urban,
pedestrian area. This enhances safety for both pedestrians and vehicles.
(5) Economic hardship is not the sole justification of the variance.
The variance is based upon creating an urban, pedestrian-oriented residential development appropriate to the immediate
area and consistent with its character.
Page 2 of 2
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