BZA_ Meeting Minutes - 03-26-2024 CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 – 7 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber
7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427
1. CALL TO ORDER
AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. and
read the Land Acknowledgement.
a. Regular Members Present: Nelson, Orenstein, Parkes, Corrado, and
Commissioner Segelbaum
b. Regular Members Absent: None
c. Student Member, Status: Vacant
d. Staff Members Present: Darren Groth, Assistant Community Development Director
Kendra Lindahl, City Planning Consultant
e. Council Liaison Present: Council Member Denise La Mere-Anderson
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Orenstein motioned to approve. Parkes seconded.
Board voted 5-0 to approve, as presented.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from 12/28/2023 continued to next meeting.
4. STAFF INTRODUCTION(S): Groth introduced himself to the Board.
5. REQUEST:
a. Applicant(s) Donald and Katherine Carmer request a variance from Section 113-149
(Shoreland Management), Subd. (e)(1) (structure setback from ordinary high water) for the
property located at 1860 Major Drive.
b. Variance request would allow a 29.3-foot setback from the ordinary high water line of
Sweeney Lake where 75 feet is required for a 14’ x 21’ deck and related stairs.
c. Lindahl presented the request to the board. She mentioned that the subject site contains
an existing legal, non-conforming structure that can be maintained. Shoreland is
regulated, and based of MNDNR, DNR had no comment. Burden of proof rests on
applicant to show all standards are met.
d. Lindahl presented the following two options to the Board.
i. Move to deny the variance for a 29-.3’ setback where 75’ is required from Sweeney
Lake based on the finding that the variance standards have not been met.
ii. Move to approve the variance for a 29-.3’ setback where 75’ is required from
Sweeney Lake, based on the finding that the variance standards have been met and
subject to the five conditions in their staff report.
e. The board asked for details regarding the five conditions that must be met to approve.
Lindahl referenced the conditions found on page 4 of the staff report.
f. The board asked for details regarding specifics of replacing foliage/vegetation. Lindahl
mentioned that no specific number or percentage is given.
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 26, 2024-7 p.m. I City Hall Council Chamber
7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427
g.Applicant(s) called to the lectern to speak on the request. The applicant representative
expressed the lack of use in current deck and lack of ability to use land based on
topography, mentioned that the change would be consistent to neighboring houses deck
and functional, and answered questions regarding the height and impact to sightline.
h.Chair Nelson opened the Public Hearing at 7:46 p.m.
i.The board asked if all letters received by the City are included in the public comment
record. Lindahl confirmed.
j.Chair Nelson closed the Public Hearing at 7:49 p.m.
k.The board discussed concern in creating this legal non-compliant structure further
deviant to regulation. Comment of efficient use of land based on changes given the
limitations of property.
l.Segelbaum moved to approve applicant variance request as stated 45. 7' off the required
75' to a distance of 29.3' closest point to the ordinary water line of Sweeney Lake.
However, suggest adopting the findings in Lindahl's Staff Report memo in favor, make
subject to five conditions in memo not including or excluding any thing in bullet points.
m.Parkes seconded.
n.The board voted unanimously to approve the variance.
6.COUNCIL UPDATES:
a.Council Member La Mere-Anderson provided an update of recent City Council
discussions. She mentioned that Noah Schuchman was introduced as the Interim City
Manager, shared that Chief Green presented the 2023 Police annual report during the City
Council meeting, gave an update on the Community Service Officer program and its
expected growth, and provided further details regarding the construction of a new build
for the HOPE initiative.
7.ADJOURNMENT:Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m.