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2025-05-27 MIN BZA Regular Meeting_Draft MEETING MINUTES 1. Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement • Chair Orenstein called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and read the Land Acknowledgement. a. Members Present: Brookins, Corrado, Tapio, Orenstein, Commissioner Ruby b. Student Member: Vacant c. Staff Members Present: Jacquelyn Kramer, Senior Planner, Steven Okey, Associate Planner d. Council Liaison: LaMere-Anderson • Tapio took the oath of office for new board members. • Brookins made a motion to elect Orenstein as Chair. • Corrado seconded. • Voted unanimously. • Orenstein made a motion to elect Corrado as Vice Chair. • Brookins seconded. • Voted unanimously. 2. Consent Agenda 2.a. Approval of agenda 2.b. Approval of April 22, 2025, meeting minutes • Brookins made a motion to approve. • Corrado seconded. • Voted unanimously for approval. 3. Public Hearings 3.a. 4124 Beverly Avenue Applicant: Angela and Andrew Varpness. Request: Request for a variance from Section 113-88 Single-Family Residential R-1 Zoning District, subsection (e)(1)(c) to reduce the required side setback by 1 foot 3 inches for a portion of the structure above 15 feet from the 13 foot 9 inch requirement to 12 feet 6 inch. • Okey presented the staff report. • Orenstein stated that he will abstain from discussion due to proximity to the property. • Okey presented an email sent in by Christian Seacrest, 4127 Beverly Avenue. The email stated that they have no objection to the request by his neighbor. • Corrado asked if the proposed landscape walls have any effect on the setback. • Okey stated that there are no issues with the proposed walls. • Corrado noted that the deck is symmetrical with the addition in one plan, but is not in the site plan. He asked if this was a mistake or if the deck is actually smaller than the addition. • Applicant Angela Varpness spoke: o She explained the site plan and landscaping for the project. May 27, 2025 – 7:00 pm City Hall: Council Chamber Hybrid Meeting: Teams/Phone City of Golden Valley BZA Meeting Minutes May 27, 2025 – 7 pm 2 o She noted they will fill in with gravel if the deck size is slightly smaller than the addition. • Corrado opened the public hearing. • Corrado asked if there was anyone online who wished to speak. • Okey confirmed no one was online who wished to speak. • Corrado closed the public hearing. • Ruby noted that he agrees with staff and will most likely be voting yes. • Corrado also added that he agrees with staff's suggestion. • Brookins noted that this seems like the best solution for the property. • Brookins made a motion to approve the variance request. • Ruby seconded • Corrado, Ruby, Tapio, and Brookins voted aye, Orenstein abstained • Vote was taken and approved with Orenstein abstaining. 4. New Business 4.a. Review of Board of Zoning Appeals Bylaws • Kramer explained the Bylaws process. • Kramer stated that she planned to remove the section related to the specific agenda order and asked for an opinion. • Orenstein stated that everything else looks fine. • Corrado noted that they could add AI protection or rules into the bylaws. • Kramer stated that she will bring the final language to the next meeting for approval. • Orenstein noted that the student seat seems unnecessary and might need to be removed from the bylaws. • Kramer noted that this is a Council decision. She added that most boards have not filled the student seat. 5. Commissioner Updates: Councilor Rosenquist • LaMere-Anderson explained why the boards don’t usually have any student seats filled. She noted that they should still actively look for student members. • LaMere-Anderson updated the Board that the City conducted an engagement pulse survey. She explained what the survey asked and what the scores were. She noted that the scores were very poor a year ago. She added that over the last 12 months, they have improved staff engagement scores and improvement in 21 of 24 areas as well. • LaMere-Anderson stated that the City Pride event is on June 7. • LaMere-Anderson updated that there will be a safety/security training held for the BZA and PC on June 9. • LaMere-Anderson updated on July events. 6. Staff Comments • Kramer explained the training on June 7. 7. Adjourn • Chair Orenstein adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.