11-23-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 23, 1998 • ( #2395 Brent Bentrott, continued) and City Staff of a drainage and grading plan with no additional watershed to the adjoining property. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 1, Goetten opposed. Goetten noted she was not opposed to the continuation but had concerns regarding the use of Bluff Street. Van Zomeren inquired when the Applicant should have the information submitted by. Mayor Jabbour stated that the information should be submitted by December 4th if this item is to be included on the agenda for the December 14th meeting. ( #5) #2399 MURIEL SENN, 4448 NORTH SHORE DRIVE - VARIANCE Muriel Senn was present. Van Zomeren presented photographs of the property to the City Council members. Van Zomeren stated the Applicant is requesting multiple variances to add to an existing residence and to construct a garage. This residence lies within the I-R -1 B district, which has a minimum of one acre. However, this parcel only consists of .38 acres, and does not lend itself well to many improvements. Van Zomeren remarked the Applicant has submitted three or four plans and is now proposing to change the roof line and to construct a garage located 10 feet off of the property line. Van Zomeren • noted that 84 percent of the lot is located in the 0 -75' setback, and requires variances to lakeshore setback, north side yard setback, street yard setback, structural coverage, and hardcover. A large amount of hardcover consists for the driveway, noting that Hennepin County has paved a portion of the lot due to erosion. The Planning Commission had recommended unanimously to deny the application finding that the amount of hardcover remains excessive and the structural coverage exceeds the 15 percent limit by 147.7 square feet. Senn commented she has resided on this property for 24 years and has seen her land continually erode. There currently is no parking on either side of the street and it is difficult to access the existing garage. Senn stated she is in need of more storage room due to the fact that there is no basement or attic in the residence and she is limited to three closets. Senn stated she would like to convert the old garage into a utility room, noting that her furnace is presently located in her kitchen and needs to be replaced in the near future. Senn remarked she has met numerous times with her builder to revise plans that would reduce the need for variances but this property does not lend itself well to any improvements without requiring variances of some sort. Mayor Jabbour commented that this residence once possibly was a cottage and was converted into a year -round residence. Jabbour stated a hardship is determined based on the configuration of the lot and other factors. Senn stated that the residence was only six years old when she purchased the property and it didn't seem to be a cottage at that time. Senn noted there were no setback requirements at that time. Mayor Jabbour stated in his opinion a hardship does exist. Page 5