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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso with Exhibit CITY OF ORONO RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL NO. ________________________ 1 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE FROM MUNICIPAL ZONING CODE SECTION 78-1279 FILE NO. LA18-000016 WHEREAS, on March 7, 2018, Dale Gustafson o/b/o Erik Nafstad (“Applicant”), applied for a variance from the City Code for the property addressed 1370 Cherry Place and legally described as: Lots 5 and 6, Block 11, SAGA HILL REVISED, according to the recorded plat thereof, Hennepin County, Minnesota (hereinafter the “Property”); WHEREAS, the Applicants have made application to the City of Orono for a variance to Orono Municipal Zoning Code Section 78-1279 to allow construction of retaining walls within the 75-foot lakeyard; and WHEREAS, on March 19, 2018, after published and mailed notice in accordance with Minnesota Statutes and the City Code, the Planning Commission held a public hearing, at which time all persons desiring to be heard concerning this application were given the opportunity to speak thereon; and WHEREAS, on March 19, 2018, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance; and WHEREAS, on April 9, 2018, the City Council reviewed the application and the recommendations of the Planning Commission and City staff; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Orono, Minnesota hereby approves the requested variance as described above based on one or more of the following findings of fact concerning the Property: FINDINGS OF FACT: 1. This application was reviewed as Zoning File #LA18-000016. The analysis contained within staff memos and the exhibits attached to the aforesaid memos, all minutes from the above mentioned meetings, and any and all other materials distributed at these meetings are hereby incorporated by reference. 2. The Property is located in the LR-1B Zoning District. CITY OF ORONO RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL NO. ________________________ 2 3. The Property contains 0.54 acres in area and has a defined lot width of 100 feet. 4. The Property is within Tier 1 and hardcover is limited to 25 % according to the Stormwater Quality Overlay District. 5. Applicant has applied for the following variance[s]: a. Retaining walls located in the 75-foot lakeyard setback. 6. In considering this application for variance, the Council has considered the advice and recommendation of the Planning Commission and the effect of the proposed variance upon the health, safety and welfare of the community, existing and anticipated traffic conditions, light and air, danger of fire, risk to the public safety, and the effect on values of property in the surrounding area. ANALYSIS: 1. “Variances shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the ordinance . . . .” Preserving and protecting the existing slope in the lake yard is in harmony with the intent of the ordinance. The proposed retaining walls will be screened with vegetation to maintain the rural nature of the lake. This will likely not alter the essential character of the locality. 2. “Variances shall only be permitted . . . when the variances are consistent with the comprehensive plan.” The proposed retaining walls are recessed into the earth to limit their visual impacts and support the stairs and slope on the property, maintaining the rural character of the lake. 3. “Variances may be granted when the applicant for the variance establishes that there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. ‘Practical difficulties,’ as used in connection with the granting of a variance, means that: a. The property owner in question proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner, however, the proposed use is not permitted by the official controls. The owner proposes to install Improvements which are residential in nature and reasonable from a residential scope. b. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to his property not created by the landowner. CITY OF ORONO RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL NO. ________________________ 3 The owner has proposed a solution which will protect against failure of the slope. The existing slope of the lake yard was not a result of actions by the owner and c. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality.” The variance to permit structure within the 75-foot setback will help to maintain the existing slope and character of the area. 4. “Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties.” Economic considerations have not been a factor in the variance approval determination. 5. “Practical difficulties also include but are not limited to inadequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems. Variances shall be granted for earth-sheltered construction as defined in Minn. Stat. § 216C.06, subd. 2, when in harmony with Orono City Code Chapter 78.” This condition is not applicable. 6. “The board or the council may not permit as a variance any use that is not permitted under Orono City Code Chapter 78 for property in the zone where the affected person's land is located.” This condition is not applicable, as the use for a single family home with stairs for lake access is an allowed use in the LR-1B District. 7. “The board or council may permit as a variance the temporary use of a one-family dwelling as a two-family dwelling.” This condition is not applicable. 8. “The special conditions applying to the structure or land in question are peculiar to such property or immediately adjoining property.” The slope of the property combined with the pre-existing improvements is a unique condition to the subject property. 9. “The conditions do not apply generally to other land or structures in the district in which the land is located.” The subject property’s specific slope is beginning to erode and stairs have become unsafe, creating conditions which do not apply to adjacent properties. 10. “The granting of the application is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant.” Granting a lake setback variance to allow the retaining walls within the 75-foot lake setback is reasonable and necessary to preserve the property rights of the owner and supported by the vulnerable lake yard slope on the property. 11. “The granting of the proposed variance will not in any way impair health, safety, comfort or morals, or in any other respect be contrary to the intent of this chapter.” Granting the CITY OF ORONO RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL NO. ________________________ 4 lakeyard setback variance allowing the retaining walls within the 75-foot lake setback will not adversely impact health, safety, comfort or morals, or in any way be contrary to the ordinances. 12. “The granting of such variance will not merely serve as a convenience to the applicant, but is necessary to alleviate demonstrable difficulty.” The applicant has demonstrated practical difficulties which support granting the lakeyard setback variance to permit the construction of the tiered retaining walls and in-kind replacement of the stairs within 75 feet of the OHWL. CONCLUSIONS, ORDER AND CONDITIONS: Based upon one or more of the above findings, the Orono City Council hereby grants a variance to Orono Municipal Zoning Code Section 78-1279 to allow retaining walls in the 75-foot lakeyard, subject to the following conditions: 1. Council approval is based on the entire record, above Findings. 2. The approved project shall conform to the Landscape Construction plan dated February 21, 2018 submitted by the Applicants and annotated by City staff, attached to this Resolution as Exhibits A. 3. Any amendments to the plans which are not in conformity with City codes may require further Planning Commission and City Council review. 4. Authorities granted by this resolution run with the Property not with the Applicants, but are permissive only and must be exercised by obtaining a permit for the new construction and commencing construction of said project. A permit must be issued within one year of the date of Council approval, or the variance will expire on that date (April 9, 2019). 5. Violation of or non-compliance with any of the terms and conditions of this resolution may result in the termination of any authority granted herein. ADOPTED by the Orono City Council on this 9 day of April, 2018. ATTEST: CITY OF ORONO: CITY OF ORONO RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL NO. ________________________ 5 _______________________________ ________________________________ Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh, Mayor