10-21-2002 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 21, 2002 6:30 o'clock p.m. (#8) #02-2837 JEFF DANBERRY,3545 IVY PLACE, Continued 12' into the required 30' setback to the front/street property line. Weinberger pointed out that the applicants' property is a 1 acre lot at the northwest end of Ivy Place with 225 feet of frontage on Lake Minnetonka and 230 feet of frontage on Ivy Place. The City Code requires a 30' setback to the street property line (Ivy Place), and at the time of construction the house and garage met the minimum required setback. Weinberger indicated that staff does not support the application for a variance to a property with a conforming structure, on a conforming lot, built after the standards for the zoning district were established. Although the project would reduce hardcover, staff could not support the change to a conforming house built after the current zoning standards. Staff was concerned that approving a variance for this project sets a negative precedent for additions and alterations to conforming structures on conforming lots, especially since this lot was developed under the current standards for the district. Had the lot not had cross-easements on either side of the home, Mr. Danberry stated that he could have done this addition without a variance and still been conforming. There were no public comments. Hawn asked if there would be bituminous driveway by the stall. Mabusth pointed out that the back up area allowed for the stall would be tight, and indicated that the addition is a two-story addition. Chair Smith asked what the third stall was needed for. The applicant indicated that it would be used for a vehicle. Mabusth believed the applicant had a hardship based on the presence of the cross-easements. Weinberger maintained that a one stall detached building could be built, if hardcover would not be an issue. Bremer believed the attached garage addition to be the best design for this lot. Mabusth agreed that a detached garage could be put in the side yard, however the best spot for the addition would be close to the existing garage. Although he could build a detached garage in the side yard, Mr. Danberry indicated that the neighbors would probably have an issue with its placement there since it would infringe upon their views. Where proposed, the garage addition is tucked into a wooded area of the lot. Page 17