01-09-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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#16-3885 6 December 2016 Page 2 of 2 Lot Area and Lot Width Variances (Section 78-330) Lot width and lot area variances are considered a formality but must be approved according to City Code 78- 72. Process The Planning Commission has not reviewed this application. The owners and their contractor have been working with staff since mid -summer. The owners were planning to submit for demolition and building permit for the home and hoped to begin construction shortly after the new year. The garage height change was planned and the owners were aware a variance was necessary for that portion of the project; their intent was to apply for the garage variance to be reviewed by the Planning Commission in January. However, the need for the variance addressing the floodplain filling setback for the house was not discovered until late November. In order to stay within their planned timeline for construction, the owners are requesting that the City Council hold the public hearing for all of the variances. The City Council may waive reference of a variance application to the Planning Commission for the public hearing according to City Code 78-912. A unanimous vote is required in order to waive the Planning Commission's review. The legal notice was published to allow for a public hearing by the City Council at the December 12th meeting. If the Council votes to waive the Planning Commission's review, staff recommends the public hearing be held on the 12th with Council direction to staff regarding a resolution for the variances. The application should then be tabled so the public hearing can be continued and the resolution adopted at the January 9th meeting. This will better assure the neighbors are given an opportunity to comment due to the timing of the application and the holiday season. The subject property is the last house on Shadywood before entering Tonka Bay. Planning Staff Recommendation Planning Staff has provided an analysis of the practical difficulties which is attached as Exhibit C. In Staff's opinion the variances are supported by practical difficulties inherent to the property; staff recommends approval of the variances as proposed. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED The Council should open the public hearing and direct staff to draft a resolution reflecting your decision about the variances for adoption at the January 9th meeting. List of Exhibits: Exhibit A. Application Exhibit J. Site Photos Exhibit B. Practical Difficulties Form Exhibit K. Aerial Photos Exhibit C. Proposed Surveys Exhibit L. City Code Excerpts Exhibit D. Existing Survey Exhibit M. Public Hearing Notice Exhibit E. House Plans Exhibit N. Property Owner List & Map Exhibit F. Garage Plans Exhibit G. Practical Difficulty Analysis —Staff Exhibit H. Lot Analysis Worksheet Exhibit 1. Hardcover Calculations