03-15-2021 Planning Commission Packet

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4085 Watertown Road,Orono, MN 55359 Variance Narrative Letter The following describes the variances requested for the building of a replacement structure at 4085 Watertown Road,Orono, MN 55359 (PID 3111823410005), a rural residential property. • Front Yard Setback(Orono, MN Code of Ordinances Sec. 78-395) The Zoning Chapter requires a 100'setback from the front (street)property line. In this case,the existing structure is 21'from Watertown Road. The property owners are requesting to build the new structure 37'from the front(street)property line in a best attempt to meet the code requirement. The existing septic drainage field prevents moving the new structure further back into the property from the front property line. • Side Yard Setback(East and West setbacks)(Orono, MN Code of Ordinances Sec.78-395) The Zoning Chapter requires a 50'setback from each adjacent side yard property line. In this case, the existing structure is sitting at an angle in the lot at 22-26.5'from the east property line and 25- 35'from the west property line (the lot line has an"'10'jog out on the northwest side,as well). The property owners are requesting to center the new structure on the lot and have selected a very narrow house design in a best attempt to meet the code requirement and have minimal impact to the existing setbacks. The east setback would move from 22-26.5'to 22'(house is straightened out)and the west setback moves from 25-35'to 23-32.5'. • Height Maximum(30 feet defined height). As the house design leverages a very narrow footprint, the design dictates an 8:12 pitch which creates an overall house height of 34' 7 11/16". The steeper roof design will fare better in the snowy Minnesota environment, improving ice melt and the prevention of ice patches and ice dams. Due to the unique dimensions of this lot, it is an unusual hardship for the property owner to create/modify a hospitable home and meet the required setbacks. The side yard setbacks total to 100' when the lot width, at its greatest, is only82.5'. The lot is smaller than most lots in the area,with the majority falling into the 2-4.99 acre and 5-9.99 acre categories with minimum widths greaterthan 300'. The owners have made great attempts at finding a house floorplan that has a very narrow footprint to make the overall impact to the setbacks as minimal as possible,architectural plans with a 28'width are rare! Additionally, the property owner consulted with their architect(Cornerstone Designs)to make modifications to the house plan to allow it fit into the landscape,slope and peculiarities of the lot dimensions (i.e. utilizing the 10'of extra width at the front of the property to accommodate a driveway and garage). Beyond the effort to minimize the footprint and setback impacts,the property owner also selected a design that will blend with the natural character and beauty of the surrounding homes:creating a design that reflects the farmhouse style in a rural community with neutral colors and stone veneers. The property owner surveyed neighboring properties taking note of style,colors, layouts and materiality. The property owner has made all efforts to retain large trees and existing natural landscape. There is a beautiful identity within the local community that we wish to uphold and restore in this particular location. The property owner has shared their building plans with adjacent neighbors and received acknowledgement forms and both written and verbal support. The neighbors have expressed gratitude for the thoughtfulness in the design and approach and welcome the improvement to the area.