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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 16,2016 <br /> 6:30 dclock p.m. <br /> Landgraver moved,Leskinen seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. 16-3829,B. <br /> John and Sarah Lindahl,2465 and 2485 North Shore Drive,lot line rearrangement,subject to Staff <br /> recommendations. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. <br /> 6. #16-3830 ZEHNDER HOMES,INC., 1255 DICKENSON STREET,VARIANCES,7:35- <br /> 7:56 P.M. <br /> Eric Zehnder, Applicant, was present. <br /> Gaffron stated the applicant is requesting variances for lot area, lot width, front setback, side setback, side <br /> street setback and structural lot coverage for construction of a new residence on the currently vacant <br /> property. The property previously contained a home which was demolished in 201 L The lot is just under <br /> 1/3 acre in the RR-1 B 2-acre zone and is a corner lot with the Keene Avenue frontage defined as front. <br /> Developed lots in the Minnetonka Bluffs neighborhood range from approximately one-tenth of an acre to <br /> just over one acre in area. The property is located in Hardcover Tier 3, which would allow 35 percent <br /> hardcover. The proposed 14' x 15' deck extending from the main floor has a railing height of <br /> approximately 6.5-7.5 feet above existing grade and therefare counts toward the lot coverage limits of 15 <br /> percent. <br /> The applicant proposes to construct the home to meet the hardcover limit. Because the applicant's <br /> surveyor failed to account for the deck in his structural coverage calculation,the applicants would be at <br /> 16.6 percent where only 15 percent is allowed. <br /> Gaffron stated absent setback variances, the allowable building envelope for this lot is 20 feet wide and <br /> 35 feet long, which would likely result in a narrow, tall, boxy residence with a 700 square footprint and a <br /> detached garage that would be tucked into the southwest corner of the site. <br /> Driveways are required to be located at least 100 feet from an intersection. The proposed driveway is <br /> located approximately 40 feet south of the Dickenson/Keene intersection. Given that there are only three <br /> other homes on Keene Avenue and no possible way for that to become a through road or add more homes, <br /> this is likely not a significant concern but would be subject to review by the Public Works Director. <br /> Staff is recommending approval of the lot area and width variances. <br /> Schoenzeit asked if the surface of the deck is below six feet. <br /> Gaffron stated technically the code says the deck height is measured to the top of the railing and because <br /> that height exceeds six feet it would be calculated as part of the lot coverage. Gaffron stated the Planning <br /> Commission will need to discuss whether there is any justification to grant the variance for the deck. The <br /> main floor level of the house is a couple of feet above the highest existing grade on the property, which <br /> occurs between the deck and Dickenson Street.. <br /> Landgraver asked if Staff knows the lot coverage for the previous application. <br /> Gaffron indicated he has not done that calculation. Gaffron stated if you compare the old house with the <br /> proposed house, it appears there was more structural coverage on the property in the past but that would <br /> need to be calculated to verify it. <br /> Page 11 of 17 <br />