[0:02] Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. The time is now 5:30. Um the board of

[0:06] adjustment, city of Castle Hills is now in session.

[0:10] Um the there is a quorum. Mr. Zurich is um again on Zoom. Cassidy is on excused

[0:19] absence this evening. Um

[0:25] item number two, the consent agenda. Um, may I have a motion on the consent

[0:30] agenda, please? Thank you, Mr. Lopez. Thank you.

[0:36] Got it. All in favor say I. It's unanimous. Thank you. Um, number three

[0:44] is um public hearing request from Mohammad and April Lazar.

[0:50] um a variance sideyard spacing between ABSU and principal structure as stated

[0:56] on the agenda. is I I just said since on this kind of agenda instead of having to

[1:03] do it over and over and over again, we're going to I'm going to officially

[1:07] open the public hearing, then close the public hearing without objection

[1:12] and then we will have the agenda item and those wishing to speak will have

[1:18] addressed during the agenda item itself if that's okay. If there's no objection

[1:22] to that. Okay. Um it is now 5:31 public hearing on this matter is open.

[1:30] There's no one wishing to speak. So 5:31 and a half public hearing is now closed.

[1:36] Item number four, discussion and pop possible action on a request from uh Mo

[1:42] and April Lazar for a variance of sideyard spacing between ABSU and the

[1:46] principal structure on a property located at 102 South Garden View as

[1:51] published in the agenda. Um, is there a motion for that item?

[1:58] » A motion. >> Thank you. Seconded by Mr. Lopez. Okay.

[2:06] Uh,

[2:13] » table because uh >> he was in a he was in a meeting. Um,

[2:17] yeah. And if you want to do it from the table with a mic, that's perfect.

[2:22] Yes, sir. Okay.

[2:25] » This has some interesting circumstances. Would you fill us in, please?

[2:30] » Yes, sir. This ABSU already exists and uh if I remember our conversation

[2:35] correctly, they want to improve upon the structure and they really can't do that

[2:38] until they come into current code. So, basically, they're asking for

[2:41] forgiveness and not necessarily permission.

[2:43] » And this was like the one we dealt with last last time with the compliance

[2:47] issue, bringing it up to zoning so they could do the improvement. wanting to

[2:51] come into the current compliance. Yes, sir.

[2:52] » Perfect. Thank you. Um, Mr. Rodriguez, did you wish to speak on this?

[3:07] Greetings, Board of Adjustment. My name is Joe Rodriguez, 110 South Garden View.

[3:12] Uh, my statements this evening are a matter of public record. I respectfully

[3:15] will communicate uh some questions specific to 102 South Garden View

[3:20] surrounding correlations and the variance being requested setback

[3:24] sideyards. Per the uh city uh Castle Hills publication to date this 102 South

[3:29] Garden View property is set for STR short-term rental permit starting March

[3:33] 1, 2026. concerns, correlations and other due to laws, ordinances

[3:39] involving zoning, architecture review committee, board of adjustment here at

[3:44] BOA. Setback sideyard is a component part of things going to occur at this

[3:50] property address. Land and buildings covering more than 66 and twothirds of

[3:54] the property. drainage, impervious, pvious cover, safety pool, fencing,

[3:58] volumes of trash placed, where what is near that are affecting setback

[4:02] sideyard. As the city of Castle Hills is conducting legal recording or

[4:07] documentation of this meeting, it should be noted that a multitude of activity

[4:10] will be growing on South Garden View because of existing problems. Castle

[4:14] Hills Police Department has selective documented incidents and dates of many

[4:18] sorts due to the property and/or trust owners at 108 South Garden View having

[4:22] rented to non-family. It's pool cabana. It seems to be a halfway house with

[4:27] questionable and always suspicious business ops occurring all hours of the

[4:31] day and night 24 by7. Vagrants and other suspicious hood covered sunglasses

[4:35] loading and unloading with different vehicles parking in multiple residences

[4:39] dropping and picking up backpacks, packages, strangers lurking in the

[4:42] shadows, accessing the cabana at 108 South Garden View 24 by7. The many

[4:48] people occupying this cabana like building are not caretakers or any sort

[4:52] of medical assistance in any form or manner. Possible subleting also seems to

[4:57] exist. The property and/or trust owners will try to escape and manipulate

[5:00] castills ordinances and more ongoing whenever questioned or asked. Another

[5:05] STR short-term rental located at 116 South Garden View also slated I guess

[5:10] from temp to renewal starting March 1, 2026. that is on South Garden View again

[5:16] with the uh specifics to 102 South Garden View setback sideyards.

[5:22] Should residents taxpayers safety security be of top concern? How would

[5:26] you prioritize public safety security when it is tied to variances which also

[5:30] has correlations to other ordinances and laws? Please

[5:34] share these public record questions and statements for the safety and security

[5:38] of your Castle Hills taxpayers and residents. Everyone, thank you for the

[5:42] allotted time slot within this public hearing.

[5:44] » Thank you, Mr. Rodriguez. Um, April, would you like to come up, please? Or

[5:49] Mo, you're going to do it. Okay.

[5:56] » Uh, good evening. >> Thank you. Do you have any questions of

[6:01] Mr. Lazarus as a homeowner? >> No. Let me finish them on.

[6:05] » Pardon me. >> I want to hear him all. Okay,

[6:08] » that's it. Who? Who? There's no one else to speak.

[6:14] No. >> Okay. Did you have any questions of the

[6:17] homeowner?

[6:20] » Good evening, sir. Um, number two on your application, you mentioned in 2008

[6:26] when the garage was built, the setbacks were 5 to 8 ft. That was the that was

[6:33] the standard then? >> Yes, it was.

[6:36] So Lou, in 2008, this structure was in compliance.

[6:41] » So I can't speak to what happened in 2008, but I can tell you that the

[6:44] current code says that a sideyard setback is 10 ft. And then it also has

[6:48] to be an ABSU has to be 10 ft from the principal structure or other ABSUs.

[6:53] That's what the current code says. >> Okay. So 2008, you're in compliance. Now

[6:57] the code has changed to 10. You're not adding to this building. You're you're

[7:05] doing stuff inside the current structure.

[7:07] » What we're doing is converting a garage into a studio for my proper use. I am an

[7:16] artist. I paint and I design sculptures. Some of them are on the grounds of city

[7:23] hall. That's it. >> Okay. Thank you. Oh, and then do we have

[7:27] any letters for this >> from neighbors or?

[7:31] » I didn't receive any letters. Did you, ma'am? Okay.

[7:35] Uh, Zach, did you have any questions, Zach?

[7:38] » I don't have any questions. Thank you. >> Thank you,

[7:42] Ian. Okay. Thank you very much. >> I would like to thank the board for

[7:46] taking the time to review our application. Thank you.

[7:50] » Thank you. The motion's been made and seconded. All in favor?

[7:56] » Thank you. It's unanimous. Thank you very much.

[7:59] Uh the next item is a public hearing on a request from Van Garcia for a variant

[8:05] sideyard spacing setback between ABSU principal structure on a property

[8:10] located at 111 Hibiscus as published in the agenda. Um again I am going to

[8:19] without objection I'm going to open the public hearing, close the public hearing

[8:23] and then hear public comments on the item itself. Um, it is now 5:38.

[8:30] Public hearing is now open. If there's no comment in public hearing,

[8:35] 538 and a half and it's closed. Um, item number five,

[8:44] is that right? Yeah. Item number six, uh, discussion possible action, uh, to

[8:50] request from Van Garcia. ABSU request setbacks as published on the agenda.

[8:57] Um, is there a motion for this one, please?

[9:01] Thank you, Mr. Lopez. Ian's made the second.

[9:06] Um, Van, you want to come up or Jane or

[9:11] who'sever's doing this?

[9:16] » Good evening. Van Garcia, 111 Hibiscus Lane. Um,

[9:23] other other than what's presented in the presentation,

[9:27] um, I'm requesting that there be a a change in the setback for a building

[9:32] that I'd like to put on my property. Um, way back when when the house was built,

[9:37] as you can see in the documents, that the offsets were 9 foot on either side.

[9:42] And now with today's rural residential, they're 25 feet. My my piece of property

[9:49] is 73 feet wide. So, you take 50 ft off of that, that gives me 23 feet right in

[9:54] the middle of the yard to put something up. I got a beautiful view from my back

[10:00] porch, 365 ft to my back fence. If I put that right in the middle of my yard, I

[10:06] won't have a view at all. Um, so I'd like to offset it to what would be the

[10:11] east side of the property and I would like to put it 5 ft off the fence line

[10:18] at that point. >> Okay. Thank you. Are are there any

[10:21] letters uh on this item? >> We do have one that was received an

[10:27] email from Mr. Jean Kelly. Um, the letter reads, "Good morning,

[10:33] Louie. My name is Jean Kelly and I reside at 112 West Castle Lane. This

[10:37] brief email is in reference to the board of adjustment meeting scheduled for

[10:41] 22326 pertaining to the variance requests

[10:44] filed by Van Garcia. After speaking with Mr. Garcia and understanding the scope

[10:49] of his project, I as a property line sharing neighbor, I have absolutely no

[10:54] objection to his plans. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone involved

[10:58] in this matter. >> Thank you very much. Uh Van, you want to

[11:01] step back for just a second. Peter, did you want to make a comment? Thank you.

[11:05] » I I would like to say one more thing. There were two submitts. Um Susie Moody

[11:10] submitted one also. She sent it to you. She's But I guess it was never received.

[11:17] » I never received it. >> We missed it. Okay.

[11:19] » I I have a copy of it if y'all need it. If we don't

[11:21] » Why don't you give the copy to Michelle, please?

[11:23] » Okay. >> Thank you. Peter, you want to get up and

[11:26] speak? >> Evening. My name is Peter Bella. I live

[11:30] at 110 Hibiscus, right across the street from Van and uh I'm just as you saw with

[11:36] Jean Kelly's letter, I'm also supportive of uh Van's initiative. So, thank you

[11:42] very much. >> Thank you, Peter.

[11:48] She has to receat that and then she'll read it to us.

[11:54] I'm sorry. Oh, okay. Um

[12:01] All right,

[12:05] Rick, do you have any questions?

[12:12] » He wants to build back. Is that >> clarify that for me a little bit?

[12:18] » Do you have your mic on, sir? >> He wants to build further back.

[12:23] » He's going to be building in his backyard. The question is the side

[12:27] sideyard setback. He has a long thin lot and if he adheres to the 25 ft setback

[12:32] on either side, he's going to have a literally a 20ft structure. So he wants

[12:37] to can it over to the east close. >> And how close is he going to be to the

[12:41] property line? >> Five.

[12:43] » He'll be 5 ft. >> And there Yeah. And there's no neighbor

[12:46] there. >> Okay. Yeah, that's all I wanted to know.

[12:49] Thank you.

[12:53] » Go ahead. Who's on the the east property line?

[13:00] What's that? >> Who's on the east property line? You

[13:03] said there there's >> Yeah, I don't know the name of the owner

[13:05] there, but there is no house at that structure there. No, it's it's all these

[13:10] lots are oneacre lots and there's nothing on the back of the other lot.

[13:15] » And Susie Booty is on this side and her house is a full 250 ft.

[13:23] No, we're not going to. Any other questions?

[13:28] Zach, do you have any questions? >> Sure. Uh, for the homeowner, I guess the

[13:34] only question was why the east side of the lot versus the west. I the

[13:39] orientation offset makes sense to me. I was just curious if there was background

[13:44] to one side versus the other. >> A good question. So, from the way my

[13:50] house is situated, the right hand side of the house or the east side of the

[13:54] house is our master bedroom. And there are no windows looking north to the far

[13:59] end of the property, but you go to the west side of the house where the kitchen

[14:03] and dining room is. We have windows there that look out over over the

[14:07] property. So, on the east side or the right hand side of the property, it

[14:11] would be h not hidden. Now, you still be able to see some of it, but the vast

[14:15] majority of the building would be offset and not visible to our view from the

[14:20] kitchen or the back porch. >> Anything else?

[14:23] » Thank you. >> You okay?

[14:27] » I'm fine. Thank you, >> Ian.

[14:31] » I was going to ask uh was it what was the dimensions? I didn't clearly see

[14:36] that. There was a a box drawn for 30 by 30.

[14:39] » Yes. >> And a box drawn for 40 by 40. So the the

[14:42] the plan is a 30 by30 building. >> Okay.

[14:45] » And the 40x40 is a the an extension of the the foundation for parking pad for

[14:51] because I don't a little more to the story. I bought the house in 1999. It

[14:56] does not have a garage. It never did have a garage. And so way I I don't know

[15:02] 2016 2014 we had a hail storm. It total two of our cars. So we just bought we

[15:08] both bought new to us cars. and we don't want that to happen again. So, it we're

[15:13] trying to find a way to protect those things as well as lawn equipment and

[15:17] other things that I need to be putting away instead of just pack parking out in

[15:22] the yard. >> Understood. So, the 45 40x40 is the

[15:26] concrete pad. Yes, sir. 30 by 30 is the structure.

[15:30] » Yes, sir. >> But both are going to be 5 foot offset.

[15:33] » Yes, sir. >> Okay.

[15:36] No further questions. >> No further questions. Motion

[15:38] » one for for Louis. So it shows that he's going to be 16 feet tall. Is that

[15:43] within the the rules that we have here?

[15:47] » 16 code says that an ABSU uh can only be 35 ft in height or no higher than a

[15:53] principal structure, whichever is less. And so that 16T is less than his

[15:58] principal structure. So he's he's legal.

[16:02] » Okay. So it's legal. >> Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, we have that

[16:05] letter on. Mr. Of course, he is going to let uh the city secretary read the

[16:09] second letter. You can go ahead. >> Go ahead.

[16:14] » This is from the neighbor on the west.

[16:20] » This is from Susie Moody.

[16:28] This is Susie Moody at 303 Foxh Hall Lane. I am fine with Van and Jane adding

[16:33] the building. If you have any questions, feel free to call me or email her. She

[16:39] is also the owner of 307 and fine as well. Susie.

[16:44] » Okay. Any questions of that? Any questions? Motion has been made and

[16:49] seconded. All in favor say I. >> It's unanimous. Thank you very much, Mr.

[16:54] Garcia.

[16:58] Item number seven is a public hearing portion

[17:01] um for uh Chris and Emil Garcia for a

[17:07] variance sideyard spacing between ABSU and the principal structure as published

[17:13] in the agenda. Uh the will adhere to the same rules as we did before on public

[17:19] hearings. If there's no objection, um being no objection, the meeting, the

[17:26] public hearing is now open at 5:47. Public hearing is now closed at 5:47 and

[17:33] a half. Um, agenda item eight, discussion and

[17:38] possible action on a request from Chris and Emil Garcia for variance sideyard

[17:45] and spacing between ABSU and principal structure

[17:49] located at 122 West Castle Lane as published in the agenda. Um, Mr. Garcia,

[17:57] are you doing it tonight? We all looked at this and said, "Wait a

[18:01] minute, weren't they here before?" and we had to refresh our memories a little

[18:04] bit about why you're here again. >> Yes, sir. Uh we're we want to put a pool

[18:09] in the back yard and we're putting a outdoor kitchen and if I go off the of

[18:17] the 25 ft setback rule, uh I will be encroaching on the septic uh system that

[18:24] we have in the backyard. So, I'm asking for this variance to be able to stay

[18:29] away from our septic system. Um, and it'll also help because it'll be in line

[18:35] with with the house. >> This is the item that you had sort of

[18:38] brushed by us when we were here before and you didn't do it because you hadn't

[18:44] finalized your plans when we approved your garage. And that's correct.

[18:48] » Mr. Garcia, can you state your name and your address for the record, please?

[18:51] » I'm sorry. >> My name is Chris Garcia and I live at

[18:53] 122 West Castle Lane. >> Thank you. Um, does just does that

[18:58] refresh your memory of the house we're talking about?

[19:01] Okay. Um,

[19:05] God, is everybody new? >> No, you may have been gone.

[19:10] » I may have been gone. >> He may have been gone.

[19:12] » Oh, he you were gone. I'm sorry. Okay, but you know what we're talking about on

[19:16] this one. Okay. Um,

[19:21] » the previous

[19:23] » Yeah. Why don't Why don't >> Rick ask your questions.

[19:29] So there, what is there currently there right now? It's just bare. I'm kind of

[19:34] confused with the septic. I didn't know there was septic here in Castle Hills.

[19:37] Yes. >> Yes. We have an aerobic septic system in

[19:39] the backyard and it's behind in the backyard behind my house. Um so we're

[19:46] we're going to put the pool. If I had to go with a 25 foot set back, it would be

[19:51] on top of the septic system. So, I'm asking for a variance to put it in line

[19:58] with the house, which would be about 15 ft um off the side fence and then I

[20:03] would not be on top of my aerobic septic system.

[20:06] » Okay. All right. That's all I had.

[20:13] » Good evening. So, your garage is off the table now? No, I have I'm I'm in the

[20:19] works with it too as well, but um I have to I have to plan it with the

[20:24] construction before I just start taking off. So, I'm trying to get everything,

[20:29] you know, planned and and that way I I don't get I don't

[20:33] handcuff myself while trying to build in my backyard.

[20:37] » Okay. So, if I remember correctly, then your

[20:41] garage is going to be on the east side of your property.

[20:44] » On the east side, yes, sir. on the on the back south uh east corner.

[20:48] » And that's how many feet do we give you there?

[20:52] » Um I don't have it in front of me, but it the 10.

[20:57] » Okay. Do you have a structure here?

[21:07] There trees involved. >> Yes. In this project,

[21:09] » I've got beautiful trees in the back. Yes, sir. And so you can't build either

[21:13] because of the septic and the trees. >> Well, the for the for what I'm

[21:17] requesting in variance today is because of the septic for my shop building is

[21:22] because of the trees. So I've got a big group of five trees,

[21:27] heritage trees in the middle. If I move my that shop over 25 feet, I would have

[21:33] to knock all of them out.

[21:38] » Right. I think we talked about him.

[21:48] But we advised you that if we grant these, that doesn't mean you get to do

[21:52] them if you have to do um what's the previous coverage? Sorry. Have you

[21:56] factored that in? >> Yes.

[21:58] » I know we're not talking about that today, but you you are considering that.

[22:01] » Yes, sir. >> Okay.

[22:03] » Oh, I have >> Zach, do you have any questions?

[22:08] Yeah, I I mean I guess that would just be a followup to Justin's. So I

[22:12] understand that the only agenda item is for the the the setback,

[22:17] but maybe it's to Louis. I mean the stage of of which that's analyze is that

[22:22] is that something that comes next or how does that work?

[22:27] » I'm not sure I understand the question. >> Well, the question is same thing as we

[22:30] were talking about. If they approach impervious cover, they've got to come

[22:34] back and address that. >> Correct. and and they were talking about

[22:37] last time using uh a paper system, a drainage system, something like this

[22:43] that would and they're not asking tonight for an impervious cover

[22:47] variance. >> Understood. Okay. So, that's a that's a

[22:51] second that would be a second application review period if

[22:55] » that would be that would be the third application if necessary.

[22:58] » Yeah. Understood. Okay.

[23:04] So, the garage has been built in. >> It's been approved.

[23:07] » Okay. That's where I wasn't really too sure.

[23:09] » Zach Ian, sorry.

[23:12] » No, I think the discussion's handled all of my Did I get it?

[23:17] » Uh, Mr. Worth, I I notice you're signed up. Would you stepside, Mr. Garcia, and

[23:22] let Mr. Worth come up and give us his comments, please?

[23:31] Gentlemen, Terry War, 124 West Castle Lane. I'm his neighbor.

[23:39] Chris can do whatever he wants to as long as it fits with y'all's guidelines,

[23:44] of course. I'm being a little lighthearted, but um uh we don't have

[23:49] any problem with it at all. >> Great. Thank you very much, sir.

[23:52] » Yes, sir. Thank you all. >> So, the bottom line is you support the

[23:56] application. Is that Terry? Bottom line, you support the

[24:01] application. >> Support the application.

[24:04] » Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much.

[24:10] » Do we have any letters on that one? >> It came to my attention.

[24:13] » Okay. The motion's been made and seconded. All

[24:17] in favor say I. It's unanimous. Thank you, Mr. Garcia.

[24:23] Ladies and gentlemen, oh, announcements. I realize we have a new agenda item

[24:27] announcements. Um, there are no applications for next month. Is that

[24:32] correct? >> There may be

[24:37] there there may be up to four. >> Okay. Well, then we're

[24:40] » that's why I was hesitant. >> What now?

[24:42] » There may be up to four. That's why I was hesitant.

[24:48] » April. >> No, we're talking about March.

[24:50] » Oh, there's none for March. >> That's what Okay.

[24:53] » That I'm aware of. I need to check. >> Everybody next time's going to have to

[24:56] eat before they come. Okay. Including me. All right. Uh there is not a meeting

[25:01] in March. We I'm sure we'll have a packed agenda in April. Any

[25:05] announcements, Mr. Lopez? Any announcements? Ian, Zack, any

[25:10] announcements? Perfect. Thank you very much for attending this evening. This

February 23, 2026 Board of Adjustment Meeting

Transcript