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11-12-85 BZA Minutes JGJ MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS November 12, 1985 The regular meeting of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals was held Tuesday, November 12, 1985, at 7 :30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Ualley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. The following Board members were present: Mahlon Swedberg Margaret Leppik Herb Polachek, Alternate �Absent by prior arrangement, Chairman Larry Smith, Art Flannagan and Mike Sell . As Past Chairman, Mahlon Swedberg called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. The first order of business was approval of the minutes of a regular meeting held October 8, 1985, copies of which had previously been distributed to the Board. Herb Polachek moved to approve the minutes as written and presented. Second by Margaret Leppik and upon vote carried. Mahlon Swedberg noted that it was 7 :35 P.M. and the proponent on the agenda was not present. The Board agreed to wait until 8:00 P.M. before considering adjournment. 85-11-36 (Map 19) Residential 2400 Zealand Avenue North C. Mary Constantine & Dean Constantine The Petition is for waiver of Section 3A.06(1) front setback, for 9 feet off the required 35 foot setback from Zealand Avenue North to the proposed garage addition at its closest point, and for 3 feet off the required 35 feet from 23rd Avenue North to the proposed living room addition at its closest point, and for Section 3A.06 3(a) side setback, for 2 feet off the required 15 foot side setback to a distance of 13 feet from the north lot line to the proposed three-car garage addition. 92 � Board of Zoning Appeals Page 2 November 12, 1985 Mrs. Mary Constantine and the contractor arrived at approximately 7 :50 P.M. Mahlon Swedberg explained the Board's procedure and asked for any additional staff information. Following an update by secretary Lloyd Becker, the Board found the petition in order and consent had been obtained from all adjacent properties. Mrs. Constantine explained her proposal . This is a corner lot with Zealand Avenue on the front and 23rd Avenue on the south side. Their present family includes four children living at home for a total of six adults and they all have their own automobiles. The present two-car garage is a tuck-under basement level with a steep driveway. Mrs. Constantine said it is about four feet in rise from the street to the house. Tne house is located 47 feet back from the street. There are two additions proposed. One area toward the south side of the existing house is a living area. This meets the setback from Zealand Avenue but the current survey shows the existing house to be set slightly on an angle and placed at 32.6 feet from the 23rd Avenue side. The 15 foot addition in this area brings the closest point to 32.3 feet from 23rd Avenue. Mrs. Constantine further described the three-car garage addition. The drive- way would be lowered, the addition to the front would be lowered to meet this and the present foundation would be widened to accommodate three cars. This puts the proposed garage to within 26 feet from the front lot line and 13 feet from the north lot line. Mahlon Swedberg explained that the front setback is the most sensitive and to his knowledge there had been no waivers in the past that he could recall that involved a garage three cars in width. He expressed his concern for the sheer bulk and the imposition into the front setback. Most of the adjacent houses are set at approximately 45 to 47 feet back from Zealand. Mrs. Constantine said the houses across the street from her appeared closer. Swedberg noted that the proposed three-car addition is a hi�hly unusual solution to what appears to be a family problem for cars. Margaret Leppik asked how long Mrs. Constantine thought the present condition would continue and Mrs. Constantine said she had no idea, all of her children were perfectly happy at home. The Board continued a lengthly discussion with the builder and Mrs. Constantine during which it became apparent there were other options that could be con- sidered such as a detached garage to the rear that could be entered from 23rd Avenue, a downsizing of the present proposal to meet the front setback, a black- top parking area in the rear yard and a turn-around in the front yard. Herb Polachek suggested that these alternatives and possibly others should be checked out and the proponent come back at a later date if necessary. 92 � Board of Zoning Appeals Page 3 November 12, 1985 Mrs. Constantine conferred with her builder and then asked the Board if the living room addition was reasonable as it met the setback from Zealand and was in line with the existing house on the 23rd Avenue side. Margaret Leppik said she felt that may be reasonable and suggested the Board look at each variance requested and vote on the merits of each one. Mrs. Constantine agreed to look at other alternatives and felt Margaret Leppik's proposal fair. Mahlon Swedberg suggested that if some of the waivers were approved and others denied that the proponent be allowed to come back to the Board by January, 1986 without a further fee. The Board agreed. Mahlon Swedberg called for a motion on the variances as requested on the agenda. Margaret Leppik moved to deny the variance for front setback to the proposed garage. Second by Herb Polachek and upon vote carried. Margaret Leppik moved to approve the variance from 23rd Avenue to the proposed living room addition noting that if for some reason no action was taken within one year and the variance lapsed that her motion was to include the house as it now exists at 32.6 feet at its closest point. Herb Polachek seconded the motion and upon vote carried. Herb Polachek moved to deny the variance from the north lot line to the proposed garage addition. Second by Margaret Leppik and upon vote carried. Herb Polachek moved to allow the proponent to appear before the Board again at either the December, 1985 meeting or January, 1986 meeting without further fee should they explore other alternatives but find a variance may be necessary. Second by Margaret Leppik and upon vote carried. Secretary Lloyd Becker emphasized to Mrs. Constantine and her contractor that should they need assistance in considering alternate proposals, the Department of Zoning and Inspections is available to work with and advise them. There being no further business to come before the Board, it was upon motion, second, and vote to adjourn at 8:30 P.M. Mahlon Swedberg, Chairman Pro em o d G B ker, Secretary