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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, March 8, 2021 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 7 of 24 <br /> <br />PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT <br /> <br />25. LA21-000010 CHAMBERLAIN FINE CUSTOM HOMES, 133 CHEVY CHASE VARIANCE <br /> <br />Staff presented a summary packet of information. Tonight, the Council will consider a variance <br />application for a rear-yard setback encroachment and will provide Staff with direction for a resolution. <br />The Applicants are looking to add a screened in porch to the rear of their home, which sits on a curved <br />road with neighbors on either side and Wayzata Country Club to the north of the property on the rear <br />property line. Staff, through their practical difficulty analysis, found that the practical difficulties were <br />not met. The proposed addition would have minimal impact to the neighbors and would not alter the <br />character of the neighborhood. However, the property owner has adequate use of the lot currently for a <br />single-family home and there are other locations for a conforming addition. The proposed addition acts <br />as a convenience to the property and not a necessity to the use of the lot. The Planning Commission held <br />a public hearing on February 16, 2021 with no verbal comments. The Commission reviewed Staff’s <br />analysis and the Applicant’s narrative; after discussion with the property owners and reviewing the 12 <br />letters of support from the neighborhood, the Commissioners found that due to the existing location of the <br />current home being so far setback from the front lot line, a substandard lot size, and the topography of the <br />lot there were practical difficulties to support the variance. The Commission voted 6 to 1 in favor of <br />granting the variance. The neighborhood letters of support are included in the packet, as well as the <br />minutes. The Council should review the application and determine if practical difficulties are met for a <br />variance and should direct Staff on how to draft a resolution. The Applicant is present tonight if there are <br />any questions. Oakden has additional pictures if needed. <br /> <br />Crosby would like to see those pictures. <br /> <br />Oakden pulled them up on screen. <br /> <br />Johnson said this is about having a practical difficulty and being able to meet the standard, and that is <br />what he is not sure about. <br /> <br />Walsh said it is one of those deals where there is a house that someone bought and whoever built this <br />house built a big circle driveway and decided to put the house on the back part. He is struggling with that <br />as well. <br /> <br />Seals said Staff put it out there that it can be built in another location and she understands perhaps that is <br />not where the Applicant wants it but it can be built elsewhere. <br /> <br />Crosby asked where the other spot it can be built is. <br /> <br />Johnson stated on the east side. <br /> <br />Walsh said either on the east side or right in the middle. <br /> <br />Johnson said it gets in to the conversation that it is not their job to design. Other people have come with <br />this and the Council has not allowed it because there was not a practical difficulty, although he can see <br />why they would want it. <br /> <br />Crosby noted if there are other options it reduces the argument for practical difficulty.