BZA_ Meeting Minutes - 09-24-2024 CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
BZA MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 – 7 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber
7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427
1. CALL TO ORDER
• Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. & read the Land Acknowledgement
a. Members Present: Nelson, Orenstein, Corrado, Commissioner Van Oss
b. Members Absent: Parkes
c. Student Member, Status: Vacant
d. Staff Members Present: Darren Groth, Assistant Community Development Director
Jacquelyn Kramer, Senior Planner
e. Council Liaison Present: Councilmember Denise La Mere-Anderson
2. CONSENT AGENDA: Orenstein motioned to approve the consent agenda.
Corrado seconded. Board voted 4-0 to approve.
• Chair Nelson gave an overview of the Board of Zoning Appeals process and requirements for
approval, alternatives, and consistency. She further informed all participants that the process is staff
will present the request followed by a Q and A with the board, then the applicant is invited to speak
followed by a Q and A with the board, then the public hearing is opened for the public to comment,
the public hearing is closed after public comments are received, then the board deliberates and votes
on the request. In addition, Chair Nelson informed applicants that if their request is denied, they can
appeal to City Council.
3. COMMISSIONER INTRODUCTION
a. Commissioner Van Oss was introduced to the board.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Setback Variances, 5111 Golden Valley Road
At 7:04 p.m., Kramer started the presentation to share the details and summarize the staff report of the
request. She noted that this is an after-the-fact variance request for one accessory structures in the front
yard that were constructed without permits. The variance would reduce the front yard setback of
accessory structures along St. Croix Avenue North from 35 feet to five feet and would allow the
accessory structure to be closer to the front setback line along St. Croix Avenue North than the principal
structure. Kramer also noted that a zoning permit has been submitted. She also noted that there were
two letters in opposition received after the staff report was completed.
At 7:13 p.m., Chair Nelson opened the floor to board member questions, the following was the series of
questions asked with the respective staff responses.
• Nelson: asked if Kramer could pull up the slide with the site plan showing the locations where
accessory structures could locate per City Code. Kramer showed the image and pointed out the
alternative location for the shed.
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
BZA MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 – 7 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber
7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427
• Corrado asked about the slope on the lot. Kramer: highlighted the image and explained that this is a
corner lot.
• Corrado asked how this came to the City’s attention. Kramer stated she was not aware of who first
informed the city of the shed, but once Community Development staff were notified they made a
site visit and determined the shed was built without permits.
• Kramer and the Board members discussed the locations of the old and new shed and the letter in
opposition that was recevied after the staff report was published.
At 7:30 p.m., the Applicant, Mitchel Nelson, was invited to speak. He stated that other properties have
structures closer to Wayzata Blvd, as shown on the aerial image from Kramer’s presentation. Nelson
further stated that a shed was there when he bought the home, but he replaced it. Chair Nelson asked if
it was replaced in the same location. Nelson replied yes. Nelson also mentioned that he reached out to
his neighbors, and all were supportive of his requested variance.
Orenstein made a motion to deny the variance request. Corrado seconded the motion, as stated. Nelson
called for a vote. The board voted 3-0-1 to approve the stated motion with Orenstein abstaining from the
vote.
b. Setback Variances, 307 Edgewood Avenue North
At 7:39 p.m., Kramer started the presentation to share the details and summarize the staff report of the
request. She noted that this is an after-the-fact variance request for a screened porch and a deck. The
variance request would reduce the side yard setback of a principal structure from 15’ to 14’-1 ½” and
reduce the side yard setback for a deck from 8’-4” to 6’-8”.
Chair Nelson opened the floor to Q&A from board members.
• Nelson: you already have to move the structures out of the easement. Nelson: yes, both structures
will be moved out of the DUE.
• Orenstein: if the sauna has power or water, a building permit is also required. Nelson: no power or
water proposed. Kramer: since the structure is less than 200 sq. ft., a zoning permit is required.
• Orenstein: so, there’s no electricity. Nelson: no, we ran an extension cord.
• Nelson: any more questions. Corrado: it’s admirable that you reached out to your neighbors.
Orenstein made a motion to deny the variance request. Corrado seconded the motion, as stated. Nelson
called for a vote. The board voted 3-0-1 to approve the stated motion with Orenstein abstaining from the
vote.
5. COUNCIL UPDATES
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
BZA MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 – 7 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber
7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427
At 7:49 p.m., Councilmember La Mere-Anderson provided updates on various City of Golden Valley
happenings, including:
1. Emily Goellner was hired as the new Community Development Director.
2. The City has launched a Workplace Culture Committee to focus on improving the workplace
and build employee retention.
3. Voting is underway in the Council Chambers and will continue through Election Day on
November 4. Voting is open from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. City Hall will
also be open for absentee voting on Saturday, October 26 and on Saturday and Sunday,
November 2 and November 3.
4. Ardmore Drive will be closed between Olson Memorial Highway frontage road and
Woodstock Avenue on September 25 through Friday September 26. The closure is needed to
make important sanitary and sewer line connections for residents in the area.
5. Last week at City Council:
a. Reviewed the proposed 2025 Budget and Tax Levies to meet the State Law requirements
for certification of a Proposed Budget and Tax Levies by September 30. The final
Property Tax Levy will be adopted by the Council on December 3. The levy increase was
modest and will be invested in important city services.
b. Unanimously approved a PUD amendment for the addition of Assisted Living Services at
the Bassett Creek Medical Center located at 5851 Duluth Street.
c. Approved by a three to two vote a Minor Subdivision at 6930 Olson Memorial Highway.
6. Upcoming:
a. Market in the Valley ends on October 13.
b. Winter Market will begin soon and will take place at the Brookview Community and
Event Center.
c. Mighty Tidy day is scheduled for October 12. Accommodations have been made for
those who will be celebrating Yom Kippur on October 12 to be able to still take part in
the Mighty Tidy program.
7. Board Member Discussion:
a. A discussion was brought up by Vice Chair Orenstein about the allowable absences for
board members.
b. Councilmember La Mere-Anderson noted that the Council conducted board and
commission interviews. There was a lot of interest in serving on the boards and
commissions. No Board of Zoning Appeals interviews at this time. Will try to do some
outreach to get people interested in serving on the Board of Zoning Appeals. For all
boards and commissions, the Council is trying to encourage youth representation.
6. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m.