05-20-2002 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,May 20,2002 6:30 o'clock p.m. NEW BUSINESS (#4) #02-2776 HENNEPIN COUNTY,3880 SHORELINE DRIVE,RENEWAL VARIANCES The application was discussed later in the meeting as the applicants were not present. (#5) #02-2766 WILLIAM KEEFE,2216 SHADYWOOD ROAD,AFTER-THE-FACT VARIANCE 6:41p.m.-7:15 p.m. William Keefe, Applicant, was present. Bottenberg stated that the Applicant is requesting variances to allow a 63 s.f. shed located by the lakeshore to remain on the property. The current owner purchased the property in 1997. At that time a shed existed in its present location and ch needed repair. Recently the property owner started repairing the shed and it became apparent the repairs would be more substantial than initially thought. The owner ultimately replaced the shed floor, walls, and roof. The existing concrete pad was used from the old shed. There is not a permit on file for the old shed,however it appears to have been there for many years. A letter maintains that the shed has been in this location since the 1970's. Also,mature trees and other landscaping surrounds the location of the shed indicating a shed has been located there for many years. Bottenberg pointed out that staff walked through the neighborhood and found several other sheds on properties by the lakeshore. After checking City files,no permits were found for the other sheds. In the past,the Planning Commission has been consistent in requiring sheds to be removed to a conforming location or turned into a lock box when the residence was being torn down and rebuilt, however, this is not the case here. Bottenberg stated that in this case, the residence is NOT being torn down and the property owner currently does not have plans to do so. Bottenberg stated that the Commission should determine whether there are sufficient hardships shown to allow anything more than a 20 s.f. shed/lock box to remain. Mr. Keefe explained that, as with every project,his original intent was to merely repair the shed; however, the condition dictated it basically be rebuilt. He believed that in order to do it right,more than just patch it, as well as, improve the aesthetics, it required a great deal more. Again,he expressed a need for his shed due to the fact that his garage is on the other end of his property and he is unable to have a walkout basement for easy storage. He stated that his request meets the City's hardship criteria if one looks at the PAGE 2