Laserfiche WebLink
Date Application Received: 01/20/2025 <br />Date Application Deemed Complete: 01/26/2026 <br />60-Day Review Period Expires: 03/27/2026 <br />To: Chair Ressler and Planning Commission Members <br />Adam Edwards, City Administrator <br />From: Matthew Karney, Planner <br />Date: 17 February 2025 <br />Subject: #LA26-000001, Denali Custom Homes o/b/o Lisa M Flynn Revocable Trust <br />860 Brown Road South <br />Variance — Public Hearing <br />Application Summary: The applicant requests approval of an average lakeshore setback variance <br />to construct a new home on the property. <br />Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval of the variance. <br />Background <br />The applicant proposes a new single-family residence on vacant property, where a home was located <br />until 2024 when it was demolished. The property is approximately fourteen (14) acres in size, <br />however, much of the property contains wetlands and is bisected by the ordinary high water level, <br />929.4 (OHWL) of Lake Minnetonka, making this a lakeshore lot. A conforming building envelope exists <br />near Brown Road South but is limited by the Average Lakeshore Setback (ALS). The scale of the <br />applicant's proposed residence is reasonable for the area, but is within the average lakeshore setback. <br />Practical Difficulties Analysis <br />ADDlicant Submittal Information: <br />The applicant has proposed a reasonable building location given the constraints on the property due <br />to the ALS. The applicant identifies the unique size, lot orientation, topography and natural features <br />on the site as circumstances supporting the variance request. The applicant has provided statements <br />regarding the practical difficulties, indicating their proposal harmonizes with intent of the ordinance, <br />that it is consistent with the comprehensive plan, that it is a reasonable use of the property and that <br />the property and its conditions are unique. <br />Plannine Staff Practical Difficultv Analvsis: <br />Staff agrees that the application of the average lakeshore setback on this property creates a practical <br />difficulty for the property owner. Sightlines and viewsheds in this area will not be impacted by new <br />home, as the proximate wetlands have generally necessitated homes to be sited closer to Brown Road <br />South and Fox Street away from the wetland, stream and OHWL. Additionally, the ALS utilizes the <br />abutting lakeshore properties. The existing neighborhood configuration creates an extreme <br />application of the ALS on the subject property. Staff supports the variance request for a new home <br />within the ALS. <br />LOT ANALYSIS WORKSHEET <br />Section 6.12.1450 —Setbacks: Principal Buildings <br />RR-113 District <br />Required <br />Existing <br />Proposed <br />Rear (Street) <br />50' <br />N/A <br />130.3' Proposed House <br />South Side <br />30' <br />N/A <br />81.9' Proposed House <br />Wetland <br />25' <br />N/A <br />71' Proposed House <br />Lakeshore <br />75' <br />N/A <br />133' Proposed House <br />