02-09-88 BZA Minutes '� � 7J � MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
GOLDEN VALLEY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
February 9, 1988
The regular meeting of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals was held
Tuesday, February 9, 1988, 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
Larry Smith
Herb Polachek (Alternate)
Absent by prior arrangement, Art Flannagan and Mike Sell .
The first order of business was approval of the minutes of a regular
meeting held January 12, 1988, copies of which had previously been distri-
buted to the Board.
Larry Smith moved to approve the minutes as written and presented. Second
by Herb Polachek and upon vote carried.
The first item to be addressed by the Board for a waiver petition was KARE
11, located at 8811 Olson Highway. Mr. H.G. Aldrich was present and said
the engineer had not arrived, and he asked if the agenda could be adjusted
to accommodate them later. Herb Polachek moved to adjust the agenda order
and place KARE 11 last. Second by Larry Smith and upon vote carried.
88-2-5 (Map 20) Residential
1320 Orkla Drive
Rondal M. Thompson
The Petition is for waiver of Section:
3A.06 front setback, for 15 feet off the required
35 foot setback from Orkla Drive to the existing
house-garage at its closest point, and for Section
3A.06(3)a side setback, for 6 feet off the required 15 feet
f rom the north lot line to a distance of 9 feet to
the garage as it now exists at its closest point.
Purpose of the waiver request is to correct
existing non-conforming areas to allow for a room
addition to be added at the rear of the existing
dwelling
The petition was in order and consent obtained from all adjacent proper-
ties. Mr. Thompson was present. No others were in attendance for this
i tem.
Board of Zoning Appeals � 0 3 ?
Page 2
February 9, 1988
Mr. Thompson explained his proposed addition at the rear of the house. The
home, as it exists, was built by him approximately 25 years ago and,
because of high water table conditions, has no basement, and is built on a
slab. Mr. Thompson said he understood his house conformed to zoning
requirements when built, however, as Orkla Drive was developed, it reduced
the front setback. No records were available that confirmed this.
During discussion, the Board noted a 16x20 shed at the rear of the house
that is presently shown on the current survey as being 12.5 feet from the
rear of the house. The proposed addition would reduce this to a 5 foot
separation. Mr. Thompson went into a lengthy explanation that this shed is
attached by a breezeway and is part of the existing house. It has heat in
it, and used as a garden room and storage.
Being now described as part of the main structure, this creates a situation
where the 20� of the lot depth from the rear lot line is required.
The existing survey shows the shed area as 21.4 feet from the rear lot
line. 32 feet is required. The Board noted the existing design of the
garage adjacent to the house. When built, this was considered as attached
and part of the principle structure. Kevin McAleese noted this appeared
more as a lattice work type of connection and could the garage be con-
sidered as detached? After lengthy discussion it was agreed that a waiver
is necessary from the rear lot line as the structure now exists and the
garage is considered attached.
Larry Smith moved to approve the waiver as requested on the agenda for the
existing house and to waive the required 20% of the lot 'depth setback to a
setback of 21.4 feet as the house now exists. The motion was seconded by
Kevin McAleese who added that the minutes reflect that the existing garage
as constructed is considered attached and part of the main structure.
Larry Smith agreed to this as part of the intent of his motion for appro-
val .
Chairman Swedberg asked if anyone was present who desired to be heard on
this matter. Hearing and seeing no one, discussion was closed, the vote
was called and it was unanimous for approval .
88-2-6 (Map18) Industrial
6 00 Wayzata Blvd.
Menard's, Inc.
The Petition is for waiver of Section:
7.05 (1) front setback for 15 feet off the required 35 feet
to a distance of 20 feet of landscape area along
Wayzata Blvd. , Hampshire Lane, Laurel Avenue and
Jersey Avenue, and for Section
7.05(3)c for 10 feet off the required 20 feet side setback
for that structure 230 feet in length along the
west lot line to a distance of 10 feet.
� � � � Board of Zoning Appeals
Page 3
February 9, 1988
The petition was in order and contained approval from seven adjacent pro-
perties. Present for the meeting was Mr. Marv Prochaska, Vice-President,
Real Estate, Menards, and several unidentified Menards personnel .
Mr. Prochaska reviewed his letter summary which outlined the reasons for
the waiver requests and the proposed improvements on the site. Mr.
Prochaska said they are surrounded on four sides by city streets and to
them that is a hardship if a 35 foot setback is required on all four sides.
Chairman Swedberg said the proponent certainly was familiar with the pro-
perty when they purchased it and just because it is a large parcel , one
block square, it doesn't seem that is a hardship. Mr. Prochasha described
the existing solid fenee. The proposed structures around the property
would be approximately 16 feet high and would further screen the outside
lumber storage. They would enclose lumber and materials on the inside.
The revised parking with setback waiver would provide approximately 52 more
spaces.
The Board entered a lengthy discussion and review of site plans, aerial
photos and landscape photos of other existing stores. The consensus and
primary concern was for the effect on Laurel Avenue. The Board noted the
upgrading of Laurel Avenue to date, the landscape and trail system and the
future appearance when completed would greatly enhance the City.
Herb Polachek moved to grant the waivers as requested except those along
Laurel Avenue. Larry Smith seconded the motion, noting it was for
discussion purposes only. The Board in discussion of the motion questioned
the rationale for Polachek's motion. In summary, it was the consensus of
the Board to grant the waivers as requested along Wayzata Blvd. , Hampshire
Ave. , and Jersey Ave. , and to deny any waivers along Laurel Ave. , and
������� ���� the 35 foot green area and setback be maintained. In addi-
tion, two site plans were marked as Exhibits "A", both signed by Mr.
Prochasha and Chairman Swedberg, and both with markings identifying the
areas of approval . One copy for Menards, the other for city records.
Chairman Swedberg called the vote on the matter for approval less the
Laurel Avenue side and subject to the limits noted on the exhibits.
Upon vote it was 3 ayes for approval and one nay - (McAleese) motion
carried.
88-2-4 (Map 22) Business & Professional
8811 Olson Memorial Highway #55
KARE 11 T.V.
The Petition is for waiver of Section:
10.052 side setback, for 32 feet off the required 50
feet from adjacent residential zoning to a distance
of 18 feet to a fenced enclosure and dish antenna
assembly at its closest point. (Deferred from
J anuary 1988 meeting).
103 �
Board of Zoning Appeals
Page 4
February 9, 1988
The petition was in order. Present for the meeting was Mr. Roger Carlson
of the architectural firm of A.T.S.R. , Mr. H.G. Aldrich, Chief Engineer for
KARE 11. An adjacent neighbor from 400 Decatur Avenue North was also pre-
sent.
Mr. Aldrich described the proposed antenna which is required to obtain
reception from a satellite. A recent survey which located an existing dish
antenna showed its placement 7 feet further east than was previously deter-
mined. This provides the ability to locate the proposed new antenna 7 feet
further east which reduces the requested waiver to 25 feet off the required
50 feet from the residential zoning.
Mr. Aldrich provided a lengthy technical review of the operation and
requirements for satellite to earth communications.
KARE looked at several other locations on the property for the antenna.
One alternate location shown on the site plan was at the northwest corner
of the property in front of the building. Another alternate was to place
the proposed dish behind an existing one, but on pillars that would make
the total height 46 feet. KARE 11 had held a meeting for all the neighbors
prior to the meeting and in discussion, both alternate locations were the
least acceptable. The dish on pillars would also require a conditional use
permit because of the height (exceeds 30 feet).
Mr. Roger Carlson reviewed the structural requirements and the existing
landscape and berm along the west lot line. He noted the possibility of
additional landscape had been discussed with the neighbors. Mahlon
Swedberg asked why the antenna could not be placed at the south end of the
property. Mr. Aldrich described the 300 foot limitation for cable recep-
tion from the antenna and also noted this would place the antenna i'n the
flight path of their helicopter. Mr. Don Rolf, 400 Decatur Avenue, said he
had reviewed the proposed location of the antenna and the alternates and
could understand the need for it. He was also very concerned about the
continual expansion of the facility. Every year it seems to be something
else.
Kevin McAleese questioned the placement of the antenna and the possibility
of all the equipment being located at an antenna farm outside the city, as
evidently other television stations have done. Mr. Aldrich responded to
the technicalities involved in such a situation.
In a summary of discussion Chairman Swedberg noted that if there is to be
an antenna, it appears this is the most viable location. There is no noise
related to its' operation and possibly additional landscape could temper
the effect on adjacent neighbors.
Larry Smith said he felt KARE 11 is a major asset in the city. He noted
previous waivers which provided for construction of the existing building
and internal antenna. This proposed antenna does not appear to have an
inordinate effect and a tower would have a much greater impact.
f� � 4 � Board of Zoning Appeals
Page 5
February 9, 1988
Kevin McAleese said he dislikes satellite dishes in the business and pro-
fessional office zoning, however, considering the present situation, and
the lack of other reasonable alternatives, he would vote in favor of this
request.
Chairman Swedberg closed the discussion on the motion, asked if there was
any further comment from the proponent and the adjacent neighbors. There
was none.
Kevin McAllese moved to grant the waiver for 25 feet off the required 50 to
a distance of 25 feet from the west lot line and conditioned on KARE 11
meeting with the adjacent neighbors to discuss the placement of additional
landscape along the west lot line and antenna areas, and come to an
agreement with the neighbors. Seconded by Herb Polachek and upon vote
motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business to come before the Board, it was upon
motion, second, and vote to adjourn at 9:25 P.M.
�
Mahlon Swedberg, Chairman loyd G. Becker, Secretary