02-21-2017 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday,January 17,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Schoenzeit moved,Landgraver seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. 17-3886, Hennepin County Emergency Management,3880 Shoreline Drive,granting of a conditional use permit to construct and operate a mesonet weather station. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. 3. #17-3887 REVISION,LLC, ON BEHALF OF GEOFFREY AND STEPHANIE MARTHA, 2092 SHADYWOOD ROAD,VARIANCES,6:40 P.M.—6:58 P.M. John Daly, Revision, LLC, and Stephanie Martha,Applicant,were present. Curtis noted revised calculations and a survey have been placed before the Planning Commission this evening regarding this application. Those revisions were submitted earlier today. Curtis stated the property currently contains a small house and garage. The applicant is requesting a side setback variance and a Tier 1 hardcover variance in order to construct improvements to make the existing house and garage more functional. The applicants initially requested a hardcover variance to permit 25.7 percent hardcover. Currently the site has 25.6 percent hardcover. The allowable hardcover in this district is 25 percent. After reviewing Staff's recommendations,the applicant revised their plans with a reduced hardcover of 25.5 percent. The service door landing was omitted,the driveway was narrowed down, and a proposed patio was eliminated. The applicants are also requesting a side setback variance. The applicant proposes to connect an existing detached garage that will be situated 1.3 feet from the south side lot line to the home with an addition. This connection would result in the detached garage becoming part of the principal structure. The existing home is currently conforming with respect to setbacks,but the connection would make the principal structure nonconforming as the house would no longer meet the required 10-foot side setback. The structural coverage level is proposed to increase by over 1,000 square feet, and although conforming to the massing limitations,it results in the need for a variance to increase hardcover over the existing nonconforming level, 470 square feet in excess of the permitted level. Initially Staff had concerns about the resulting hardcover increase,but with the revised plan, Staff does not have any concerns. With respect to the setback variance for the principal structure connection,the location of the existing structures may support the variance. The applicant should be asked to describe in detail the intended project. Staff would support the variance for the connection since there will not be a substantial change for the adjacent property owner. Staff did receive one phone call from another neighbor asking for clarification on the address but he did not express any concerns with the proposed project. The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. John Daly,Revision, LLC, stated he would be available to answer any questions the Planning Commission may have. Schoenzeit asked whether the existing garage has frost footings so it can be attached. Page 3 of 15