Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Height topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board grants 15‑foot height variance for proposed storage building at 1331 Austin Highway
Summary
The Board approved a 15‑foot variance to allow a 40‑foot building height at 1331 Austin Highway, concluding that the site’s narrow, irregular lot shape causes unique hardship and that buffering would separate the structure from nearby multifamily buildings.
The Board of Adjustment voted to grant a 15‑foot variance permitting a 40‑foot building height at 1331 Austin Highway for a proposed storage facility.
Applicant Thorne Group and its architect described the lot as long and narrow with a required dead‑end hammerhead for fire access; the configuration, they said, makes the standard wedding‑cake setback approach impractical and would force a substantial loss of rentable units. The applicant estimated the business impact of conforming to the standard setback approach could eliminate roughly 45–50 rentable units from the top floor, telling commissioners, “We’re probably going to lose at least probably 50 releasable units along that top floor.”
Staff recommended approval after finding adequate buffering to adjacent multifamily uses and that the requested height would not exceed corridor maxima. Commissioners who voted to approve emphasized the site constraints and that the design would maintain adequate distance from residential structures. The motion passed by roll call.
