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AGENDA ITEM <br />Date: August 11, 2025 <br />Item: 14 <br />Title: LA25-000026, 1080 Ferndale Rd West, Variances - Resolution 7607 <br />Presenter: Melanie Curtis, Planner <br />Section: Consent Agenda <br />Purpose: <br />This application contemplates setback and hardcover variances to reconstruct lakeside decks on a <br />substandard property. <br />2. MN§15.99 Application Deadline: <br />The application was submitted on June 18, 2025, and was considered complete as of July 1, 2025. <br />The 60-day review timeline will expire on August 30, 2025. <br />3. Background: <br />The applicant requests variances to rebuild existing decks in a different, more functional <br />configuration. The existing decks consisted of two circular areas; the new decks are proposed to be <br />configured with squared -off, rectangular areas, in the same general location, and a hot tub is <br />shown abutting the western deck (Exhibit B). <br />The existing improvements have been verified and removed. The decks were located within the <br />75-foot setback from the OHWL and the 25-foot wetland setback (the existing home also <br />encroaches as it is situated 28 feet from the OHWL). The existing eastern deck was located <br />approximately 24 feet from the OHWL and wetland, and the western deck was 43 feet from the <br />OHWL and wetland. <br />The new east deck is proposed to be 20 feet from the OHWL, and the new west deck is proposed <br />to be 38 feet from the OHWL, resulting in new encroachments for both. A 59 square foot increase <br />in hardcover is also proposed. Refer to the Planning Report attached as Exhibit C for a full <br />analysis. <br />4. Planning Commission Vote and Comment: <br />The Planning Commission reviewed the application and held a public hearing on July 21 st. After <br />some discussion, the Commission voted 4 to 0 in favor of approval as applied. <br />Public Comment: <br />Public comments in support of the request were received. The comments are attached as Exhibit <br />D. <br />6. Staff Recommendation: <br />Originally, Planning Staff recommended approval of the setback variances supporting the deck <br />footprint changes and denial of the variance to increase the site hardcover. The Planning <br />Commission deliberated about the hardcover and determined there were few to no areas where the <br />minimal reduction could be removed to offset the additional 59 square feet. Staff recommends <br />approval as applied, consistent with the Planning Commission's recommendation. <br />117 <br />