11-13-2023 City Council Agenda Packet

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Date Application Received: 08/23/2023 Date Application Considered as Complete: 10/02/2023 60-Day Review Period Expires: 12/01/2023 To: Chair Bollis and Planning Commission Members Adam Edwards, City Administrator From: Natalie Nye, Planner Date: October 16, 2023 Subject: #LA23-000050, John McGary with Lucid Builders, 3359 Crystal Bay Road Variances - Public Hearing Background The subject 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 require variances. 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 overall project will require variances from lot area, lot width, hardcover within the 75-foot setback, overall hardcover, and rear yard setback. Clarification should be request from the applicant regarding the existing hardcover within the 75-footlake yard and any proposed mitigation for stormwater run-off such as gutters or pervious paver walkways, patios or decking. The applicant should elaborate on the timing of the project and discuss their plans for construction parking, Practical Difficulties Analysis Applicant Submittal Information: 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 similar location on the lot. Planning Staff Practical Difficulty Analysis: Staff agrees with the applicant’s assessment. The property is substandard in size and width being 0.13 acres in size when 0.5 acres is required in the LR-1C District. The property is unique in that Crystal Bay Road is located on the property. The existing home on the property is nonconforming and that applicant is proposing to construct a slightly larger home in a similar location. Application Summary: The applicant is requesting variances for lot area, lot width, 75-foot lake setback, hardcover within the 75-foot lake setback, overall hardcover, and rear yard setback in order to construct a new home. Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval.