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Zoning board approves multiple residential setback exceptions and denies a pole-sign height variance
Summary
At its April 20 meeting the El Paso City Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a series of special exceptions to legalize or permit residential encroachments and carports across several addresses, and denied a separate variance to allow a 45-foot pole sign for an automotive dealership.
El Paso City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment on April 20 approved a bundle of special exceptions that legalized or permitted residential encroachments and carport structures at several addresses and denied one separate sign-height variance.
Planning staff presented multiple items on the published agenda. Staff recommended approval, generally with conditions that accessory structures encroaching into utility easements be removed or relocated and that new carport or canopy materials match the primary residence. The board approved the following items after applicants or their representatives confirmed they accepted the staff conditions:
- 11767 Stephanie Drive (PZBA 250034): staff recommended and the board approved a special exception to permit a proposed 198 sq ft carport to encroach into a 20-foot front yard setback; applicant Belinda Rosales agreed to a condition to remove/relocate rear storage in the utility easement.
- 11837 Chalita Drive (PZBA 250049): the board approved special exceptions to legalize a 238 sq ft existing front carport and a 311 sq ft rear open porch; staff conditioned matching materials and relocation of an accessory structure from an easement.
- 3127 Tula Rosa Avenue (PZBA 250056): the board approved a special exception K to legalize an attached accessory structure that existed more than 15 years, supported by aerial imagery.
- 713 Wolffield (PZBA 250057): the board approved a special exception for a 33×20 ft covered patio that extends 20 ft into the rear-yard setback (approximately 640 sq ft encroachment); the applicant’s contractor agreed with staff recommendations.
- 8201 Dempsey (PZBA 26002): staff recommended and the board approved a special exception to permit a 15-ft rear-yard encroachment for an addition, conditioned on relocating accessory storage from a 5-ft utility easement.
- 3203 Dublin Road (PZBA 26004): the board approved a carport over-driveway special exception with conditions about removing structures from the easement and matching materials; homeowner Mon'nique Merrill agreed to staff conditions.
- 6217 Michelle (PZBA 26005) and 168 Street (PZBA 26008): the board approved special exceptions for nonconforming lots and to legalize existing encroachments that appeared on aerial imagery dating to 2009 or earlier; staff recommended relocation/removal of rear structures within utility easements as a condition where applicable.
Separately, the board considered a variance (PZBA 3600000001) seeking permission for a 45-foot pole sign for an automotive dealership on Joe Battle Boulevard; staff recommended denial, finding the applicant had not demonstrated a hardship. The applicant representative, Brian Muller, asked for the taller sign for visibility along Loop 375 and adjacent corridors; the board voted to deny the height variance in line with staff’s recommendation.
All of the residential and accessory-structure items above were approved with the staff conditions noted; the board approved minutes from a prior meeting and adjourned at approximately 3:26 p.m.
What to expect next: for approved items, applicants must obtain permits and demonstrate compliance with the board’s conditions (for example, removing or relocating accessory structures from utility easements). The denied pole-sign variance may be revised and resubmitted if the applicant provides new evidence of hardship or changes the proposal to conform with code.
