11-03-97 BZA Minutes
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1585
Minutes of a Continued Meeting of the
Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals
November 3, 1997
The continued meeting of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals was held
Monday, November 3,1997, in the Golden Valley City Hall Council Chambers, 7800
Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN. Chair Robert Shaffer called the meeting to
order at 7pm.
Those present were: Chair Robert Shaffer; Members Herb Polachek, Mike Sell,
Mahlon Swedberg; and Planning Commission Representative Paula Pentel. Also
present were Staff Liaison Mark Grimes and Recording Secretary Eve Lomaistro.
I. The Petition was:
Tract A (5800 Duluth Street) and Tract B (Map 11) (97-10-47)
LOGIS (current property owners: Charles T. And Carol A. Turner and
Mark C. and Shirley J. Reinertson)
Request:
Waiver of Section 11.45, Subd. 5(A)(1) Front Yard Setback -_
1.71 feet off the required 35 feet to a distance of 33.29 feet for the
proposed building at its closest point to the lot line on Duluth
Street; and
Waiver of Section 11.45, Subd. 5(A)(1) Front Yard Setback --
22.77 feet off the required 35 feet to a distance of 12.23 feet for
the proposed parking lot at its closest point to the lot line on
Duluth Street; and
Waiver of Section 11.45, Subd. 5(B)(2) Side and Rear Yard
Setback - 10 feet off the required 30 feet to a distance of 20 feet
for the proposed building to the lot line on the north side; and
Waiver of Section 11.45, Subd. 5(B)(2) Side and Rear Yard
Setback - 10 feet off the required 15 feet to a distance of 5 feet for
the proposed parking lot and trash area to the lot line on the north
side; and
Waiver of Section 11.45, Subd. 5(B)(2) Side and Rear Yard
Setback - 5 feet off the required 15 feet to a distance of 10 feet for
the lack of landscaping on the north side behind the proposed
building; and
Minutes of the Board of Zoning Appeals
November 3, 1997
Page 2
1586
Waiver of Section 11.45 Subd. 5(B)(3) Side and Rear Yard
setbacks - 2 feet off the required 10 feet to a distance of 8 feet for
the parking lot infringing into the side setback to the east; and
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Waiver of Section 11.70, Subd. 7(F) Off-street Parking and
Loading Regulations (Design Standards) - 2 feet off the required
20 foot depth to 18 feet for all parking stalls on the site.
Purpose:
To allow for the construction of a 2-story, 14,000 square foot
office building to be used by LOGIS.
Grimes thanked the Board for returning after the long meeting on October 28, 1997.
He said this gave LOGIS an opportunity to reduce the variances requested. In the
interim, Grimes met with John Pope, the architect, and a new plan resulted. The
above variance requests reflect the new plan.
Grimes said the new plan moves the building back 10 feet to the north which puts the
variance at only 1.71 feet into the front setback. Because the property to the north is
a City-owned nature area, building construction is very unlikely, thereby allowing the
building to be within 10 feet of the property line is reasonable. The parking lot moves
over to 8 feet from the lot line requiring only a 2 foot variance. The other parking
variances are also reduced and the lot will accommodate 62 spaces. There will also
be an evergreen lot line to reduce the light reflection in the neighbor's windows.
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Grimes said the holding pond could retain trees as it is a temporary holding area.
Pentel asked what the elevation would be and was told it is not yet certain, but
probably 5%.
Pentel asked if a 40-foot aisle is enough for cars to pass in the parking lot and was
told yes. Sell pointed out that the slant parking makes the parking lot more functional.
Swedberg asked about the grading that would be done on City property north of the
proposed building. Swedberg noted that there would be an encroachment on the
open space but a price must be paid for development of the property and, in this case,
the benefits out weigh it. Grimes noted that nothing was being given up - the slope
would be 3 to 1 instead of a retaining wall and retaining walls are difficult to maintain.
Swedberg stated that he hopes the space between the east lot line and building will
look nice and that the parking will not be too close to the building. Pope stated there
would be no cars against the building, and that the sidewalk would end at the entry
and create a 12 foot area of landscaping. Swedberg asked if he is happy with the
revised plan and he answered yes.
Shaffer asked if the front door is recessed and was told yes.
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Minutes of the Board of Zoning Appeals
November 3, 1997
Page 3
Sell commented that the angled parking gives the appearance of more space in the
parking lot. Swedberg commented on the aisle being only 19 feet but Grimes pointed
out that traffic would go in only one direction. Shaffer asked if the parking lot would be
signed for one way traffic and was told that the pavement would be striped. Sell
pointed out that after one or two cars park, the others will follow suit. Shaffer and Sell
agreed that the parking lot is an improvement. Grimes suggested that the front
spaces be reserved for guests. Pentel asked if the parking lot is flat and was told it
would have a slight slope.
Pentel continued that she is glad the building is moved back on the lot and is pleased
to see that the stand of trees would be retained.
Swedberg stated that this is a difficult property to deal with and that this plan gives
away the least. He said it was a good plan under the circumstances.
Shaffer asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak and no one came forward.
MOVED by Swedberg, seconded by Polachek, and motion carried unanimously to
approve the revised variances as presented tonight.
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Robert Shaffer, Chair
Mark Grimes, Staff Liaison