[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6520573,"mediaKeyId","5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5","parentId",5322166,"title","One public hearing withdrawn for lack of proper notice; reschedule planned","audioSeconds",2725,"startMs",2808000,"endMs",5533000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5&start=2808&end=5533","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5/thumbnail_2808000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520573/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/One-public-hearing-withdrawn-for-lack-of-proper-notice-reschedule-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520573-b953e4ddf4570269e0f2706f54d1de93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183190&Signature=Ln4-5JmziyT-2fV9hlFCiHKWyVZjqDqmyE01tcdDp5kL5Xi7E99RM33c-v7GG7n1vxhg3yUhSkN~SJFpyWUZjPik5XMHd7CIJ0TQL1lFhft~96d0R-~ICjHRX6LxP2gm1cmZD8gSDWPN1dU-qFU75KdtscC3GyI2KVI0hpKQGTKY0CErK01oAr0NMUFNTLxgMFLWX~t496ni0eg9eaPtPTidI0kPPTwIjw8q3Yi4UiB7b8jm~NYLKDtNO3-BhEV4~0x3tbLYmw98iqI1wbY9avxgz5LsoS~A13SwfuaAFNEKZFSS7mqslK6qhcenT5fBsQiC5osBKqbtJpc3AeVIdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lago Vista","date","2025-07-07T00:00:00Z","article","City staff told the board that one public hearing item (project 232785 SPE) had been withdrawn from the agenda because it was not properly noticed. The applicant has been informed and staff said the city will need to re-notice the application and schedule a future meeting — potentially a called meeting — to consider the request.

At least one other variance (a property on Bison Trail mentioned by a citizen) also was noted as having had notice problems and will be rescheduled. Staff committed to sending corrected notices and including any mailed letters in future packets so board members can review public responses in advance.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lago Vista - Board of Adjustment - Jul 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff withdrew project 232785 SPE from the agenda because the application had not been properly noticed; the applicant was notified and staff said a separate called meeting may be needed to hear the item.","taxTitle","Lago Vista, Travis County, Texas","taxId",69620,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520578,"Board approves fence variance for double-frontage lot at Boggy Court",1129,4176000,5305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5&start=4176&end=5305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5/thumbnail_4176000.jpg","/articles/6520578/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/Board-approves-fence-variance-for-double-frontage-lot-at-Boggy-Court","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520578-cc1e8d2278c04d1e9f0d5cec79ba45ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183190&Signature=PlTgxqq7yIzWYF9A9Wb65bJE-W2ElLc6PjWp2N4lgU4dAz27v0xY0tvqIG07ZEPNded4vxuT2SmMhbb-1UO~z4a0BU6u7k6B7aAkmExUBSkd5qvh1rMfRwaxUeDxeWlMQXxllSAkkDz~Rff~-~lN6CTtaJkDcFmTQG1-pIdlvZOx9PR22FauNmtsl1nyrVEJk0iIMrg8PK41Glvscd1Oc07exyWnIH9y1AvmrDN5YUqGgIKwz8MJRDFi6ZWApKBqN2IkXDy8hxKOcJ~vxrlgEXiuiYUbSmv0nOxwMWj-zIFp8-uYvdIV7RlrK-cIs8yX9adT0oi6KXfI1ILLeet3Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lago Vista Board of Adjustment approved a variance to allow a solid 6-foot privacy fence within the rear-yard setback of a double-frontage lot at 20906 Boggy Court (project 23-2783-VAR).

Owners Alexandria and Ronald Hernandez told the board they built the fence believing a permit had been issued; they said they did not intend to flout city rules and that the fence was intended to protect their two young children from traffic and improve privacy. “Our primary reason for this was safety,” Alexandria Hernandez said. She said the fence was built away from utility easements and that adjacent neighbors had not complained.

Staff clarified the technical issue: the lot is double-frontage, so the street-facing side that normally would be a rear setback is treated like a front setback for certain fence rules. The code language discussed by staff (Code section 22.3/22.25 was cited during the hearing) allows only limited solid fencing by right in that setback area; the variance sought permission to exceed the by-right height for a solid fence.

No mailed responses for or against the application were recorded in staff’s summary; several board members said they had driven past and found the fence compatible with neighboring properties. One member noted similar fences exist in that neighborhood and described the area as atypical (lots fronting both High Drive and Boggy). On a motion to approve the variance, the board voted 6–2 in favor; staff recorded the motion as carried.

","The Board of Adjustment approved a variance allowing a solid 6-foot privacy fence within a rear setback on a double-frontage lot at 20906 Boggy Court. The homeowners said the fence was installed for child safety and believed a permit had been issued before construction.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520583,"Board denies height exception for San Carlo home; variance not approved",1202,2852000,4054000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5&start=2852&end=4054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5/thumbnail_2852000.jpg","/articles/6520583/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/Board-denies-height-exception-for-San-Carlo-home-variance-not-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520583-f6138c0f8892b7d8a034dd8211a9fb06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183190&Signature=Ui1AoD~s5Nrm7hGHFuOtuQH9Zjgp3cr7W0nkiuucfydIIIcAglQ3fNxTYiUBGERyfxRdfQ1INQ86XMiHZXPk7OYiUVrTX4rFhIbIODrfGZq5fzDKkCMyiSSSnlbWLsDKuVKFwBsQuzlv9xE4nMjwCrvHCS2dTMDz80SQmyObhy1uIyc2l5~n3jLs4q4XYXow8XrpI8uOZsun4N8~SsdYgia1ObaYbCp2VtwAcYKYcA4xVQJnNqkarLXcy4U7eQVIsHMbkk-Y5KmRE4pg7XPMacw51jp6SyVPhkbAmRXgVnNY53A0kVDoUfFsAeMmtY7ssNToozskILf2XP5G8cESVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lago Vista Board of Adjustment considered a request to increase the allowable building height for a single-family house at 21601 San Carlo Avenue from 15 feet to 23 feet. The applicant, Jared Phillips, asked for the exception to accommodate the home design; neighbors raised concerns about privacy and consistency with the 15-foot limit.

City staff introduced the case (project 23-2788-SP-1) and said the property is zoned R-2 and that the application and plans were available in the packet. The applicant said he was trying to preserve “custom home” values in the neighborhood and that multifamily zoning across the street allows heights up to 35 feet. “I could build a different design,” Phillips said when asked whether alternative designs could meet the 15-foot limit.

The city mailed notice to nearby property owners and staff reported seven mailed responses: four in favor and three opposed. Opponents who submitted comments cited the requested height as violating existing code and as an intrusion on privacy. A board member who visited the site said the proposed home looked taller than surrounding houses and that the applicant had purchased the lot in 2023 and therefore had time to design within the 15-foot standard.

Board member Jean Harris made a motion to deny the requested variance, citing the applicant’s admission that a conforming design was feasible and concerns that financial motives were driving the request. The motion carried by voice vote; the chair and staff noted that a 75% concurrence is required to approve some variances under the applicable rules, and that threshold was not met. The board recorded that the variance request therefore failed to be approved.

Staff also noted that a separate project (project 232785 SPE) was withdrawn from the agenda because it had not been properly noticed and will be rescheduled.

","Applicant Jared Phillips sought a height exception from 15 to 23 feet for a single-family home at 21601 San Carlo Avenue. The board heard neighborhood comments and voted such that the requested variance was not approved.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520588,"Peck elected chair; Kathy Cozza named vice chair of Lago Vista board",91,52000,143000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5&start=52&end=143","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5/thumbnail_52000.jpg","/articles/6520588/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/Peck-elected-chair-Kathy-Cozza-named-vice-chair-of-Lago-Vista-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520588-256cdabd7ad889bad16a09762de79513/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183190&Signature=YKnsURmo79FhjMvrF~m9xdnsHgDcRvZtM6JG6dnDcdNSANu0rMyIROoHdLGrGeTFi7Fl382VeAgHVISXU12hfapLIexYn1Jy~8MfvB3HG5Ju0TFiVMIRckxWHTy2jGAXDP~-RRXvz16Uft8UKP2ZiJWSrWT8RzWhDVc88Xn7W9yCcmFVB6f78GtFvLY890-X2SVACaLF3JEQ4x3D34a2rnOuqCYgmSQWcst2ljxx~1bxfvTvK3JED7Ry1CS0YaCaQwLyhOfVghGg1FLqBHi7O3Op8p5V42H2~tcb5DToqPNdpswY7YU7WhdjBk6~Vsy6fKDoTCTY~T24RuAdBrpicQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the meeting the Lago Vista Board of Adjustment elected James (Jim) Peck as chair and Kathy Cozza as vice chair.

Board member Linda Ayre nominated Peck for chair; the nomination was seconded and carried. Ayre then nominated Cozza for vice chair; that nomination also carried with no opposition.

Charles West, the city manager, opened the meeting and asked members to identify themselves before the elections. Members said the appointments will remain effective until the board’s next organizational action.

","Board of Adjustment members elected James Peck as chair and Kathy Cozza as vice chair during the meeting. Nominations were uncontested and votes were recorded as unanimous for the vice chair.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520592,"Lago Vista board gets training on variances, Open Meetings and meeting procedure",2319,179000,2498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5&start=179&end=2498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322166-41832f33e72176ed980523e5eb4e55b5/thumbnail_179000.jpg","/articles/6520592/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/Lago-Vista-board-gets-training-on-variances-Open-Meetings-and-meeting-procedure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520592-0d734688badb4a9a191a99a85788a86a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183190&Signature=gnJP2HNVadOfmSQbJFVWSFIFamMEYzZsWhMRSyNxaIN-~-Ix0~udtjqMcooBJWyjjJTBIuwFl28W0f3q~ETaIuV-tvxqCMTb8l3jZIP8JDmZhs9p10mErKtDhyZ7wY4IinOMoOgZ0SgZpxxUAZHHt00UBZeeeq61pKjBTyJuFPHmIVzRINslLqlwlXwCk733gJKmUUNZiiW35EbQZt9upH8nW2aRQX~NLsk6aQst2toD7dpU79SAjombzxbIXnriUMfTZygyX5TZ15B1LM6RbHziSTJuoqLo88A4uuI-Yje3o6rHWfR7py9yWRV8Zf8Aj9myDKNiwfNPebQu0gLaSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City attorney Brad briefed the Lago Vista Board of Adjustment on the legal standards the board must follow when hearing variance requests, the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) and basic procedural rules.

Brad told the panel the board’s authority is derived from state law and the city’s ordinances: “The duties of a board of adjustment are set forth in your code of ordinances and in, state law,” he said. He cited Chapter 211 of the Local Government Code and court decisions governing variances.

The training stressed why careful findings and recordkeeping matter. Brad explained that an applicant bears the burden to prove “unnecessary hardship” and described examples courts accept and reject: pure financial harm alone is not usually a legal basis for a variance; steep topography or unusual lot shapes can be. He said the board must “articulate objective legal grounds” if it grants or denies a variance, because courts review decisions under a substantial-evidence standard.

Brad summarized specific points board members should keep in mind when reviewing variance applications: the board may consider whether compliance would cost more than 50% of appraised value, whether compliance would remove 25% or more of the developable area, or whether compliance would create conflicts with other codes. He also cautioned against granting relief for self-imposed hardships and noted that granting a variance in one case does not legally bind the board to grant future variances unless the circumstances are materially identical.

Brad reviewed Open Meetings requirements and common pitfalls. He reminded members that discussion of public business among a quorum outside a posted meeting can create an unlawful “walking quorum” and that officials who use personal devices for public business may temporarily become custodians of public records subject to disclosure. He urged members to avoid serial one-on-one communications that effectively constitute board deliberations outside public view.

On procedure, Brad recommended consulting Rosenberg’s Rules (a simplified parliamentary guide often used by Texas public bodies) and the city’s rules of procedure to keep motions clear for the minutes and any later legal review. He also recommended that when the board retreats to executive session for legal advice it should, when it returns to open session, articulate public findings for the record rather than handling policy questions behind closed doors.

Board members asked several clarifying questions about hardship standards, height exceptions and the difference between variances and other exceptions. Brad said the legal standard for all zoning variances is the same regardless of whether the request involves height, setback or lot-area issues: the applicant must demonstrate unnecessary hardship under statutory and case-law criteria.

The city manager and board agreed to circulate the materials Brad mentioned and to have periodic refresher training.

","City attorney Brad reviewed statutory standards for zoning variances, evidence and notice requirements, Open Meetings rules and Rosenberg’s Rules for orderly meetings at a Board of Adjustment workshop session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

One public hearing withdrawn for lack of proper notice; reschedule planned

Board approves fence variance for double-frontage lot at Boggy Court

Board denies height exception for San Carlo home; variance not approved

Peck elected chair; Kathy Cozza named vice chair of Lago Vista board

Lago Vista board gets training on variances, Open Meetings and meeting procedure