10-22-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA ITEM Prepared By: mcc Reviewed By: J. Barnhart Approved By: 1. Purpose. This application is regarding lake setback, average lakeshore setback, and hardcover variances in order to re-build & expand an existing 150 square foot boathouse and reorient the lake access stairs. 2. MN§15.99 Application Deadline. The application was received on August 22, 2018 and considered to be complete on September 4th. Therefore the 60-Day review period expires on November 3, 2018. 3. Background/ Summary. The owner purchased the property in the Fall of 2017 and has begun to make improvements. They plan to rebuild the 150 square foot boathouse building located 16 feet from the OHW; also entirely lakeward of the average lakeshore setback line. The in-kind reconstruction is permitted as it is a legal nonconforming structure. Further, they propose to increase the height of the structure by adding a roofed porch over the top which is considered an expansion of the structure within the substandard setbacks. The upper level expansion consists of posts and a roof; they plan to install retractable screens in the place of walls. A hardcover variance is requested due to the reorientation of the existing stairway to the lake as the existing hardcover within the 75-foot setback is nonconforming. The applicant’s proposal results in a hardcover reduction in the 75-foot setback area of 40 square feet, due to the reorientation of the stair; a variance is still required. 4. Planning Commission Vote and Comment. On September 17th the Planning Commission opened a public hearing. Following the public hearing the Planning Commission voted 4 to 3 on a motion to approve the requested variances. The Council should refer to the draft minutes for more detail on the discussion. 5. Public Comment. Additional comments from neighbors were received and are attached as Exhibit C. 6. Staff Recommendation. Staff recommends approval of the hardcover variance to reorient the lake access stair, reducing hardcover. The Planning Commission’s approval recommendation was the result of a split vote. The three dissenting Commissioners questioned the validity of the stated practical difficulties regarding the boathouse expansion, and were concerned with the establishment of a practice contrary to the City’s long held lakeshore preservation philosophy. The Council should determine if the variances for the boathouse expansion are supported by practical difficulty and vote Item No.: #LA18-000076 Date: 8 October 2018 Item Description: #LA18-000076, Revision LLC o/b/o Christian Harker, 1725 Bohns Point Rd, Variances, Public Hearing Presenter: Melanie Curtis Planner Agenda Section: Public Hearing