Loading...
01-23-18 BZA Minutes Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals January 23, 2018 A regular meeting of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals was held on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. Chair Perich called the meeting to order at 7:09 pm. Those present were Members Maxwell, Perich and Planning Commission Representative Blenker. Also present were Associate Planner/Grant Writer Emily Goellner and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman. Members Nelson and Orenstein were absent. I. Approval of Minutes – November 28, 2017, Regular Meeting MOVED by Maxwell, seconded by Perich and motion carried 2 to 1 to approve the November 28, 2017, minutes as submitted. Commissioner Blenker abstained. II. The Petition(s) are: 422 Ardmore Drive HTI Investments, Applicant Request: Waiver from Section 11.21, Single Family Zoning District, Subd. 11(A)(1) Front Yard Setback Requirements  23.5 ft. off of the required 35 ft. to a distance of 11.5 ft. at its closest point to the front yard (west) property line. Purpose: To allow for the construction of a new home. Goellner referred to a survey of the property and explained the applicant’s proposal to demolish the existing house and detached garage and build a new house with an attached garage. She explained that the existing house is currently 11.5 ft. from the west property line and that the proposed new house would also be 11.5 ft. from the west property line. Maxwell asked about the amount of right-of-way along Ardmore Drive. Goellner said there is approximately 15 ft. of right-of-way along Ardmore Drive so the house will look further away from the street than 11.5 ft. Goellner noted that the applicant has stated that the unique circumstances in this case include that it is a small corner lot, the existing house is also 11.5 ft. from the west property line, the proposed house would meet all of the requirements if it were not a corner lot, they are proposing a smaller than standard two-stall garage, and if a front yard setback variance weren’t granted, they would need a variance for the structure width. Blenker asked about the side yard setback along the east property line. Goellner stated that the side yard setback in this case is 5.8 ft. and that is what the applicant is proposing. Minutes of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals January 23, 2018 Page 2 Perich asked about the size of the proposed new house. Goellner said it would be approximately 2,440 square feet in size. Perich questioned if the proposed garage were a standard size if the applicant would need other variances. Goellner stated that if the proposed garage were larger the house would probably have to shift further south on the lot to avoid needing a front yard variance from the north property line along Woodstock Ave. Brandon Meder, Engel & Volkers, representing the applicant, explained that the proposed garage is modeled after a home they built in St. Louis Park. He said he knows it is important to make the garage size practical. He stated that he has spoken with the neighbors to the east and that they are fully aware of the side yard setback of 5.8 ft. Blenker asked about the rear yard setback. Goellner stated the rear yard setback (south property line) is 25 ft. Maxwell noted that this lot is essentially not a buildable lot without the requested variance. Goellner agreed and reiterated that the applicant would either need a front yard variance along the west property line or a variance to allow the new house to be less than the required 22 ft. of width. Meder stated that they have considered other options but they are limited because the driveway has to be on Ardmore Drive and cannot be on Woodstock Avenue. Blenker asked if there is an alley on the south side of the property. Goellner said yes. Perich said he thinks the proposal results in a reasonable use of the property. He added that this lot is basically unbuildable so there is not much the applicant can do without variances, and he doesn’t think the proposal will alter the essential character of the neighborhood. Blenker agreed. Maxwell added that the problem isn’t the fault of the current landowner because it was inherited by whoever originally platted this property in the first place so he is in favor of granting the proposed variance request. MOVED by Maxwell, seconded by Perich and motion carried unanimously to approve the variance request for 23.5 ft. off of the required 35 ft. to a distance of 11.5 ft. at its closest point to the front yard (west) property line to allow for the construction of a new home. III. Other Business No other business was discussed. IV. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 pm. Minutes of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals January 23, 2018 Page 3 �; ti�° �` ��/' ���� ,, S s � �� David Perich, Chair ' a Wittman, Administrative Assistant