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Date Application Received: 02/06/2024 <br />Date Application Considered as Complete: 02/23/2024 <br />120-Day Review Period Expires: 06/22/2024 <br /> <br />To: Chair Bollis and Planning Commission Members <br /> Adam Edwards, City Administrator <br /> <br />From: Natalie Nye, Planner <br /> <br />Date: April 15, 2024 <br /> <br />Subject: #LA24-000006, Sven Gustafson, 1359 Park Drive - Variance - Public Hearing <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br />The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing home on the property and construct a new home in a <br />similar location. The subject property is currently over on hardcover with approximately 33.9% hardcover <br />when 25% is the maximum permitted. The proposal includes keeping the existing detached garage and <br />nonconforming deck and pool. The proposed home will meet all required setbacks and the proposal will <br />reduce overall hardcover. While the proposed hardcover will be a reduction, it will still be over the <br />maximum at approximately 29.6% and thus requiring a variance. Additionally, the subject property is <br />nonconforming in size and width for the LR-1B District with an area of approximately 0.6 acres when 1 <br />acre is required and 50 feet in width when 140 feet is required. Therefore, in order to construct a new <br />home on the substandard lot, variances for lot area and lot width are requested. <br /> <br />Practical Difficulties Analysis <br />Applicant Submittal Information: The applicant has identified the property’s very narrow lot and existing <br />conditions as practical difficulties. The property is 26,185 square feet (0.6 acres) and currently over the <br />maximum hardcover with approximately 33.9% hardcover. The location of the existing home and <br />proposed home require a long driveway. The applicant has indicated that moving the proposed home <br />location toward the street to reduce the driveway length would eliminate the current lake views. The <br />proposal will reduce the overall hardcover to about 29.6% and the new home will meet all required <br />setbacks including the average lakeshore setback. The current site has a detached accessory garage, which <br />is proposed to remain. The property also contains a nonconforming deck and pool as it does not meet the <br />side yard setback requirements. The applicant is proposing to keep this pool and deck structure. Per City <br />code, they are permitted to keep this nonconformity or rebuild it “in-kind”. <br /> <br />Planning Staff Practical Difficulty Analysis: Staff agrees with the applicant’s assessment. The property is <br />narrow and the proposed placement of the home is reasonable. The property is substandard and <br />approximately 50 feet wide where the home is to be placed. There are existing structures on the property <br />that are permitted to remain. Staff is supportive of the construction of a new home that meets the zoning <br />requirements. Staff is generally supportive of hardcover variances when the overall hardcover has been <br />reduced in an effort to bring the lot closer to conformance. The proposal will reduce hardcover on the site <br />by 1,125 square feet. The proposed home is well behind the 5-foot lake setback and average lakeshore <br />setback being approximately 142 feet from the OHWL. The Planning Commission should discuss the <br />existing pool and deck that are nonconforming. While it is permitted to remain, removing it or reducing <br />the size could bring the property even closer to compliance. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Application Summary: The applicant is requesting variances for lot area, lot width, and hardcover to exceed <br />25% for the construction of a new home. <br />Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval. <br />9 <br />PC <br />Exhibit A