11-20-2023 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION October 16, 2023 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 11 all of the sediment is not the responsibility of the applicant. She said the ditch is the responsibility of the property owners unless it has a public easement. Ressler moved, Schultze seconded, to recommend approval of LA22-000059, 2245 Watertown Road Preliminary Plat with the conditions recommended by staff including removal of sediment and proper permitting and erosion control measures. VOTE: Ayes: 6, Nays 0. 2. LA23-000050 LUCID BUILDERS, 3359 CRYSTAL BAY ROAD, REQUESTS VARIANCES FOR LOT AREA, LOT WIDTH, 75-FOOT LAKE SETBACK, HARDCOVER, HARDCOVER WITHIN THE 75-FOOT LAKE SETBACK, AND REAR YARD SETBACK TO CONSTRUCT A NEW HOUSE City Planner Nye gave a presentation on the item, stating the property is substandard in size and width and has a building envelope that cannot accommodate a single-family home. Crystal Bay Road is located within the boundaries of the property. The area of the lot excludes the area of the road bringing the total area to 5,500 square feet. A minimum lot size for the LR-IC zoning district is 21,780 square feet. The width of the lot is 50 feet where 100 feet is the minimum requirement for the zoning district. The existing home on the lot is nonconforming as it relates to the required lake yard setback, side yard setback, rear yard setback and hardcover. The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing home and build a new single-family home. The neighborhood along Crystal Bay Road has experienced many redevelopment projects in recent years resulting in the construction of many new single-family homes. Most of these homes have required variances, she said. The City Council and staff have been strict on the application of average lakeshore setback in order to preserve the uniformity of the street and preserve the neighboring views of the lake. Additionally, a 10-foot rear yard setback has been approved in previous applications. The proposed project meets the average lakeshore setback and maintains a 10-foot rear yard setback. The project also includes the removal of an illegal shed located to the rear of the house on Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) owned land. The applicant has identified the property’s substandard size and width as practical difficulties. The applicant added that the proposal will be in harmony with the neighborhood and the variances will allow for the construction of a modern home in a similar location on the lot. Staff agrees with the applicant’s assessment. The property is substandard in size and width and unique in that Crystal Bay Road is located on the property. The existing home on the property is nonconforming and the applicant is proposing to construct a slightly larger home in a similar location. The home is in line with the Average Lakeshore Setback consistent with the neighborhood. The increase in hardcover brings the overall hardcover to over 45peercent of the lot when 25 percent is the maximum allowed, due mainly to including a 2-stall garage where a 1-stall garage exists today and the widening of the driveway in order to support off-street parking for Crystal Bay Road. The project will meet the structural coverage limitations for the site. The proposed home will be built within 10 feet of the rear property line consistent with the neighborhood. Staff finds the request for the new home on the site in character with the neighborhood and reasonable use of the site and supports the variance requests. Planning Staff noted the property cannot use HCRRA corridor for any personal improvements and a shed currently in that corridor will be removed; pervious pavers or similar material must be used for any walkways or patios and stormwater mitigation such as gutters must be installed on the property. Ressler said it looked like the rear setback was improving by 3 feet but lakeshore setback was decreasing by 2 feet.