Title
Conduct a Public hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on the request by Applicant Rebecca Bartelme on the Appeal of the Building Official’s decision regarding a violation of UDC Article 2 Section 206 A.3.a.VII, prohibiting artificial turf in the front yard of single-family dwellings. The applicant is requesting to keep the artificial turf already installed in portions of their front and side yard. This request is on the property located at 909 West Virginia Street, Lot 547B of the McKinney Outlots (CMC) Addition to the City of McKinney, Texas.
Summary
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT CASE NUMBER: BOA 2025-0028
MEETING DATE: September 24, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Building Inspections
CONTACT: Suzanne Arnold, Chief Building Official
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION: Consider this Variance request based on the applicant statement on the Board of Adjustment (BOA) application.
ZONING: RS60 - TMN
EXISTING CONDITIONS: This is an existing single-family residential home in McKinney’s Historic District. It is located at the corner of W. Virginia Street and Truett Street. There has been recent City street and sidewalk reconstruction on West Virginia St. adjacent to and impacting the property.
ITEM SUMMARY: The applicant is requesting to keep artificial turf that has already been installed in the front yard. McKinney Code Compliance issued the applicant a Notice of Violation May 16, 2025, alerting them that the artificial turf violated City ordinance. The application states that the City recently installed a sidewalk, taking up a portion of the front yard of an already small lot. The construction caused erosion issues with the front yard, including requiring re-grading. Repeated prior attempts to plant grass, by the City and the applicant, did not thrive. The applicant cites water conservation as another factor in the decision to install artificial turf. The applicant also cites limited physical ability to mow natural grass.
VARIANCE REQUESTED:
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ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS |
VARIANCE REQUESTED |
VARIANCE |
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|
|
|
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Artificial turf prohibited |
Artificial turf |
100% |
APPLICANT’S BASIS FOR VARIANCE: See description on the BOA application.
PUBLIC SUPPORT/OPPOSITION OF REQUEST: 26 letters were sent. To date, no letters of support and no letters of opposition have been submitted.
BOARD AUTHORITY:
Variances. A Variance may be approved by the Board of Adjustment to provide relief from the strict application of the zoning provisions of this Code where literal enforcement of the requirements of this Code will result in unnecessary hardship and where the Variance is necessary to develop a parcel of land that cannot otherwise be developed due to unique conditions on the property.
1. Permit a Variance to requirements of any district where there are unusual and practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships due to an irregular shape of the lot or topographical or other conditions; and
2. Authorize Variances from the strict application of this Code that are in harmony with its general purpose and intent, provided such Variance will not merely serve as a convenience to the applicant, but will alleviate some demonstrable and unusual hardship or difficulty, while at the same time, the surrounding properties will be properly protected.
BUILDING OFFICIAL STATEMENT:
The request has been field validated, and I agree that the Board has the implied authority to consider this Variance by the Applicant/Owner.
SUPPORTING MATERIALS:
BOA2025-0028 - 909 W. Virginia St. - Packet to include:
• Application
• GIS Exhibit
• Newspaper Notice
• Notice Letter
• Notice Map
• Plat
• Site Photos
• Zoning Exhibit
ACTION: Approved Denied Tabled