09-18-2000 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Application # (Addendum) CITY OF ORONO - VARIANCE APPLICATION ADDENDUM TO APPLICATION FOR; Doug Olson & Barbara Bowers Residence 2601 West Lafayette Road, Orono, MN 55391 DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST History The applicant has previously gone through the variance process (File #2164) and successfully received a variance to renovate their existing house, even though it was a non-conforming lot. The house extends beyond both lakeshore regulations of the line of sight setback as well as the 75 ft. setback from lakeshore. Additionally, the house was well over the hardcover limitations. In the original renovation, some additional hardcover was added; however, in conjuntion with the renovation, a pair of significant portions of the driveway were removed and green-scaped. The original hardcover in the 75-250 foot zone, before the previous construction was 31%, and with construction concluded, the total is now around 29%. The original project was performed in two phases: [1] renovations to the interior of the Easterly half of the home, and [2] renovation and addition over the Westerly half of the home as well as exterior residing on the entire home. Current Situation The applicant now wishes to perform “Phase III” of their project, which entails the addition of a second fl.oor [approx. 1500 SF] over a majority of the Easterly half of the home. The scope of work includes a master suite, two additional bedrooms, and a guest bathroom, as well as the conversion of the existing master bedroom into a library. As mentioned earlier, the area to be expanded is within the lakeshore setback, a portion of which is also within 75 feet of the ordinary high water mark, and the existing hardcover (although no new additional hardcover is being added) on the lot is over the allowable amount. 1. Request for a variance from the average lakeshore setback (line of sight) to allow for the addition to be built over the existing one-story structure. The existing house is completely within this setback, as the house sits on the peninsula tract of the neighborhood. Refer to the site plan, area “A.” 2. Request for a variance from the 75-foot setba^'k from Lake Minnetonka. A significant portion of the existing house is situated within the 75-foot setback, and a portion of this area is desired to be raised to the two story area. Refer to site plan, area “B.” 3. Request for a variance from the hardcover requirements to maintain the current hardcover level as it currently exists. The new addition is scheduled to be built completely over existing hardcover, and no new hardcover will be added as a part of the proposed renovations. hardship /description of UNUSUAL PROPERTY CONDITIONS Unique to the land In question Upon quick review of the site, it is realized that it is nearly impossible to situate any structure on this property without ignoring some aspect of the current zoning ordinances. To maintain the line of sight setback on this property would require a new structure be built in the middle of their driveway. The intent of the line-of-sight ordinance is to prevent houses being built closer to the lake than their neighbors, thus cutting peripheral views from neighboring houses dramatically. This ordinance works for straight shoreline areas, but in the guise of a peninsula, its application isn’t practical. The current house, as it sits now, is not in any neighbor’s view of the lake. This would continue to be the case, even with the second story addition. Unique to the existing structure location The owners do not wish to require a variance from the 75 foot setback, but in order to make the addition practic d and architecturally appealing, it is necessary to place the Northern wall of the second story over the main level bearing wall. TTiis creates the space necessary for the third bedroom, and allows for an appealing, subtle and simple second story. Approximately 30 square feet of the new addition hangs into this 75 ft. setback area. •V U ij ^ ^