HomeMy WebLinkAboutVariance Request_rev01232020
5159 Main Street Suite 200 Maple Plain, MN 55359 763.479.3117
Variance Request
2665 Casco Point Road
Orono MN
Gordon James Construction recently built a custom home for the Gutermuth Family at the above address.
When the family purchased the home a few years before the property included a boat house at the lake shore.
During the course of the planning and construction of the new home the family requested the boat house be
updated. The boat house was in poor repair and needed new roofing and siding and they wanted the
appearance from the lake to be improved and for the boat house to match the color, materials and look of the
new home.
Architectural designs were created which maintained the integrity of the basic structure and added a gable over
the new entry door, a chimney stack to emulate the homes chimney and a stone façade to enhance the
appearance from the lake and complement the house. Focus was on maintaining the footprint to stay within
the strict hard cover requirements of the property. It was overlooked at the time of design that these elements
changed the overall envelop of the boathouse and they were included in the renovations. At the time of the
final inspection for the certificate of occupancy it was noted that these elements were outside the allowed
modifications and that a variance was necessary to maintain the elements on the boathouse.
Also noted in the final inspection are dock sections which are placed in front and the side of the boat house. It
is the homeowners intent to remove those dock sections as winter conditions subside in the spring. Steps will
be continued from the boat house to the grade level.
The variance is being requested to be able to keep the boat house as finished. The added elements enhance the
like-side look of the structure, complement the aesthetics of the house and of the overall look of the Point, do
not interfere with line of sight from either neighbor and has in fact turned an eyesore into an attractive lake
lifestyle element.
5159 Main Street Suite 200 Maple Plain, MN 55359 763.479.3117
Original Boathouse
Architectural Drawing – no good photos exist of finished structure.