10-17-2022 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, September 19, 2022 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 7 of 9 Sanja DeGarmo, Applicant, noted there is really no other place to put an attached garage, noting they would be decreasing hardscape and it would be a simple two-car garage. The Watershed District does not require any permitting or approval. Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. McCutcheon thinks the Applicant did due diligence with what they had and they do not have a lot. The practical difficulty is understood and it is a sensible ask. Kraemer echoed McCutcheon noting it is a textbook example of practical difficulty, Staff did a great job, it is a nice design and set up and it is a yes for him. Ressler agreed, without disrupting wetlands there is not a reasonable place to put it, and they are improving current situations to mitigate that practical difficulty. He is prepared to support a motion. Bollis moved, Kraemer seconded, to approve LA22-000043, 2675 Fox Street, Variance. VOTE: Ayes: 7, Nays 0. 3. LA22-000045 ADDILAY HOMES & REMODELING, LLC - SCOTT JOHNSON, 1153 ELMWOOD AVENUE, REQUESTS SIDE YARD AND STREET YARD SETBACK VARIANCES FOR A HOME ADDITION. (STAFF: LAURA OAKDEN) Scott Johnson, Applicant, was present. Staff presented a summary packet of information. Oakden noted the Applicant is requesting a street and sideyard variance for a new garage. The property currently has a detached garage that encroaches in to the right of way and a deck along the side of the accessory building connecting to the main door of the home. The Applicant is proposing to remove the existing garage and build a new garage that is attached to the existing house. The new garage addition will create a new front door to the home and will connect to the existing sidewalk along the south side of the home. The new improvements will create a 15 foot sideyard setback where 30 is required but existing conditions of the garage encroaching into the right-of- way is an improvement. Staff finds the practical difficulty standards are met. The property is substandard as it pertains to size and width. While the home meets the setbacks for the zoning district there is no conforming building envelope to allow a garage within reasonable proximity to the home. The property is unique due to the right‐of‐way which crosses through the parcel limiting the building envelope. The proposed project will improve the existing conditions of the setbacks today to the street and sideyard, the engineer has reviewed and noted the proposal appears to remove any encroachments to City right-of-way. The Applicant submitted letters of support from abutting neighbors, and Oakden received quite a few phone calls from neighbors interested in the project but did not submit concerns. Staff recommends approval of the project as proposed. Scott Johnson, 4130 St. Marks Drive, Minnetonka, is here to answer any questions noting it helps the situation for the neighbors and reduces the garage from the right-of-way. Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 7:23 p.m.