11-10-87 BZA Minutes f� o � �!
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
GOLDEN VALLEY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
November 10, 1987
The regular meeting of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals was held
Tuesday, November 10, 1987, at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Civic
Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota.
The following Board members were present:
Chairman, Mahlon Swedberg
Kevin McAleese
Art Flannagan
Larry Smith
Absent by prior arrangement, Mike Sell . There were no alternates available for
this meeting. �°
The first order of business was approval of the minutes of a regular meeting
held October 13, 1987, copies of which had previously been distributed to the
Board.
Larry Smith moved to approve the minutes as written and presented. Second by
Art Flannagan and upon vote carried.
87-11-38 (Map 8) Residential
420 Burntside Drive
William and Nancy Groves
The Petition is for waiver of Section:
3A.06(1) front setback, for 3.5 feet off the required
35 feet to a distance of 31.5 feet from the
front lot line to the northwest corner of the
house as it now exists at its closest point,
and for Section
3A.06 rear setback, for 5.8 feet off the required
27.9 feet from the north lot line to a distance
of 22.1 feet to the house as it now exists at its
closest point, and for Section
3A.06(1 ) front setback, for 3 feet off the required 35 feet
to a distance of 32 feet from the front lot line
to the proposed addition at its closest point
f rom Burntside Drive.
The petition was in order and consent obtained from all adjacent properties.
Mr. William Groves was present. No adjacent neighbors attended.
Board of Zoning Appeals j� o � J
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November 10, 1987
Mr. Groves noted he had been a long term resident of Golden Valley. Because
of a job change, they moved to Kansas City. They recently had the opportunity
to return to the area and immediately looked for a home in Golden Valley and
purchased 420 Burntside Drive.
Mr. Groves said he didn't realize the home was non-conforming for setback in
certain areas when he purchased it. Having a survey done to explore the feasi-
bility of expansion revealed the problem.
He noted this is a corner lot with an exceptionally long radius which results in
a substantial portion of the lot affected by the 35 foot setback requirement.
The proposed addition follows within the 35 foot setback requirement except for
the farthest corner which at its closest point projects approximately 3 feet
into the setback. The other variances are for the house as it exists.
The Board discussed and examined in detail the proposed addition. To construct
the proposed addition along the 35 foot radius would result in curved walls,
unusual construction characteristics and odd appearance. Mr. Grove said he had
discussed his proposed addition with all the neighbors and they were enthusi-
astic about the improved appearance and the improvement to the neighborhood
as well . Art Flannagan said he agreed with that observation, noting it is a
beautiful lot and the addition would enhance the existing structure.
Art Flannagan moved to approve the waivers as requested noting the unusual con-
figuration of this corner lot and the placement of the existing home which
leaves no other reasonable alternative for an addition. Second by Larry Smith.
During discussion on the motion, Kevin McAleese noted that an existing three-
season porch (which is proposed to be removed to provide for the new addition)
projects slightly into the front setback. McAleese said if the proposed waiver
was not acted on within one year, the existing porch would be non-conforming.
The Board agreed that should this occur, the waiver of 3 feet for the addition at
its closest point would also apply to the three-season porch as it exists.
Chairman Swedberg called the vote and it was unanimous for approval .
87-11-39 (Map 12) Radio
917 North Lilac Drive
K.Q.R.S. , Inc.
The Petition is for waiver of Section:
6.07(3)a side setback, to provide for an addition to the
existing building in line with the present setback
of 5.1 feet from the north lot line.
.I o J � Board of Zoning Appeals
Page 3
November 10, 1987
The petition was in order. Consent had been obtained from all adjacent
properties. However, several days before the meeting, Ms. Helga Burba of
2915 Everest Lane, Plymouth, MN came to Director of Zoning & Inspection,
Lloyd Becker, and asked to have her approval removed from the petition. Ms.
Burba owns an adjacent two-family dwelling which she rents out and she was con-
cerned for the landscaping and appearance of the K.Q.R.S. addition. Ms. Burba
was in attendance at the meeting.
Present for K.Q.R.S. was Mark Steinmetz, General Manager of K.Q.R.S. and Mr.
Robert Pierce, the architect for the project. Secretary Lloyd Becker reviewed
the proposed Highway Dept. improvement to the service road which will require
some taking of the K.Q.R.S. property and an existing two-family dwelling at the
corner of Lindsay and the Lilac Drive service road.
Lloyd Becker also provided a history from city files on the development of the
K.Q.R.S. site and previous B.Z.A. approvals of setback along the north lot line
in 1974 and 1981 . The original building constructed in the 1940's began at what
amounted to a two-car garage in conjunction with the antenna installation.
Mr. Pierce made the presentation to the Board. The proposed addition is
approximately 3,100 sq. ft. The site will meet all required parking and other
setbacks. The addition is in line with the existing building and will have the
same exterior appearance. Presently there is a portable office trailer that was
approved by the Golden Valley City Council for temporary use. This would be
removed should the waiver be approved.
Mr. Steinmetz noted there are no further plans for expansion. Based on the size
of the station market and the broadcast characteristics, the new addition should
meet all of their needs. Mr. Steinmetz noted he had mailed a letter to Ms.
Burba with his assurances that any existing landscape damage during construction
would be replaced and he would cooperate with her to alleviate her concerns.
Chairman Swedberg provided Ms. Burba the opportunity to comment. She noted her
two-family dwelling is almost new, requires substantial rents and she was con-
cerned about the view to her tenants. Ms. Burba noted the decks and outside
living area is in the rear of her building and adjacent to K.Q.R.S.
Mr. Steinmetz noted there are no windows proposed for his building on the side
facing Ms. Burba's property. The addition is for broadcast studio. Ms. Burba
said that broadcast noise comes through on the telephones and on A.M. radio.
Mr. Steinmetz responded that this occurs around radio stations. He noted they
have worked with other adjacent neighbors and there are suppression systems that
alleviate this condition. They would provide the same for her tenants and will
have their broadcast engineers contact her tennants.
Chairman Swedberg commented that the K.Q.R.S. property was platted as it exists
for well over 40 years. It started with a small building and has grown several
times on a very difficult lot configuration. Mahlon asked the architect if they
had considered adding toward the rear rather than the front. Mr. Pierce said
yes they had looked at several possibilities but it would only distract from the
site by moving the parking out in front and more visible from properties such as
Ms. Burba's.
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Board of Zoning Appeals
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November 10, 1987
Kevin McAleese noted that the 100 foot setback required in this instance is
ridiculous and addresses the antennas which more than meet the 100 feet.
McAleese noted there is no reasonable application for the 100 feet to the
building as the lot is only 98 feet wide.
Following general discussion on the landscape and noting the Building Board
of Review will have an opportunity to review and comment, Kevin McAleese
moved to approve the waiver as requested to provide for the addition in line
with the existing building along the north lot line consistent with previous
approvals by the Board. Second by Art Flannagan and upon vote carried unani-
mously.
Secretary Lloyd Becker assured Ms. Burba he would notify her of the Building
Board of Review Meeting that addresses this proposal .
There being no further business to come before the Board, it was upon motion,
second, and vote to adjourn at 8:30 P.M.
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Mahlon Swedberg, Chairman yd G. Becker, Secretary