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Date Application Received: 08/20/2024 <br />Date Application Considered as Complete: 08/20/2024 <br />60-Day Review Period Expires: 10/19/2024 <br /> <br /> <br />To: Chair Bollis and Planning Commission Members <br /> Adam Edwards, City Administrator <br /> <br />From: Melanie Curtis, Planner mcc <br /> <br />Date: 16 September 2024 <br /> <br />Subject: #LA24-000044, William Anderson, 1335 Briar Street <br />Variances <br />Public Hearing <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br />The applicant does not currently have a garage and proposes to remove the existing shed to construct a <br />new, detached garage. Also proposed is a new, larger front stoop 5’x10’ where the existing stoop is <br />5’x5’. The proposal requires several variances: front yard setback, rear yard setback, side setback, side <br />street setback, hardcover, and building-to-building separation reduction. <br /> <br />The 5,100 square foot (0.12- <br />acre) property is quite <br />substandard for the 2.0-acre <br />RR-1B district where it exists. <br />The small lot is subject to the <br />larger 2.0-acre zone setbacks <br />which eliminates the buildable <br />area. The City Code includes <br />setback exceptions for lots <br />that do not meet the minimum <br />200-foot width standard in this <br />district. <br /> <br />Practical Difficulties Analysis <br />Applicant Submittal <br />Information: The applicant has identified the lack of garage and the substandard lot size as practical <br />difficulties supporting the requested variances. Additionally, they have provided supporting <br />documentation regarding Practical Difficulties attached as Exhibit C and should be asked for additional <br />testimony regarding the application. <br /> <br />Planning Staff Practical Difficulty Analysis: Staff finds that the absence of a garage on a property in <br />Minnesota, where winter conditions can be severe, is a practical difficulty. Additionally, the property’s <br />small size within the 2.0-acre district where large setbacks place a heavy burden creates additional <br />difficulties. Staff finds there are significant practical difficulties that adversely impact the ability to <br />develop the property commensurate with other properties in the same neighborhood. <br /> <br />Application Summary: The applicant is requesting variances to construct a new front stoop and a <br />detached garage on the property. Also requested is a variance to allow a 5.5-foot separation <br />between the home and garage, where a 10-foot setback is required. <br />Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval with conditions. <br />7 <br />PC <br />Exhibit A