09-25-18 BZA Minutes Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals
September 25, 2018
A regular meeting of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals was heid on Tuesday,
September 25, 2018, at City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota.
Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Members Nelson, Orenstein, Perich, Snope, and Planning
Commission Representative Baker. Also present were Associate Planner/Grant Writer
Emily Goellner, and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman.
I. Approval of Minutes—August 28, 2018, Regular Meeting
MOVED by Perich, seconded by Baker and motion carried unanimously to approve the
August 28, 2018, minutes as submitted.
II. The Petition(s) are:
2800 Noble Avenue North
Alexvs & Luke Eskola, Applicant
Request: Waiver from Section 11.21, Single Family Zoning District, Subd.
11(A)(3)(a) Side Yard Setback Requirements
• 1.5 ft. off the required 15 ft. to a distance of 13.5 ft. at its closest point to the side
yard (north) property line.
Purpose: To allow for an expansion of the garage.
Goellner referred to a map and photo of the property and explained the applicants' proposal
to construct a garage addition. She noted that the new garage would be Iocated 13.5 ft. from
the side yard (north) property line rather than the required 15 ft. She also noted that the
applicants are proposing to construct a small addition on the back of the house which does
not require any variances.
Goellner stated that a standard two-stall garage is 24 ft. x 24 ft. in size (576 square feet). The
existing garage is 22.2 ft. x 22.2 ft. (492 square feet) in size, and the proposed addition
would make the garage 24 ft. wide x 32 ft. deep (768 square feet). She added that single
family residential properties are allowed a total of 1,000 square feet of accessory structure
space.
Goellner noted that the applicants state their unique circumstances include that the original
garage was built in 1950 when cars were smaller and that the existing garage is not wide
enough for today's cars. Also, the additional storage space will allow their trailers and
motorcycle to be stored indoors, and that the renovation would keep within the same general
style as the existing Cape Cod home.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals
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Goellner stated that staff recommends approval of the requested variance and finds that the
home is on a large lot, but is placed on the northern side of the property, a 24-foot wide
garage is standard size, but 32 feet in depth is deeper than the 24-foot standard depth, a
13.5-foot setback is somewhat common is this neighborhood, and that the home to the north
is 28 ft. away from the property line.
Snope referred to the photo of the property and said he presumes where the fence is shown
is where the property line is located. Goellner said she believes so. Alexys Eskola, Applicant,
stated that the neighbor's fence is actually located 1.5 feet into their property.
Baker asked if the garage is heated. Luke Eskola, Applicant, said yes.
Baker asked if the trailer shown in the photo will fit in the new garage. Mr. Eskola said yes.
Nelson opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one wishing to comment, Nelson
closed the public hearing.
Orenstein stated that the proposed garage is a more standard size and that the square
footage fits within the maximum allowed amount of accessory structure space so he has no
concerns about this proposal.
Nelson said she likes that the applicants considered other alternatives and that they are not
asking for anything unreasonable. She added that the way the house is positioned on the Iot
is not the fault of the landowners. Perich agreed.
Snope stated that the fact the applicants can make a two-stall garage improves the longevity
of the home and is a good upgrade to the neighborhood.
MOVED by Perich, seconded by Orenstein and motion carried unanimously to approve the
variance request for 1.5 ft. off the required 15 ft. to a distance of 13.5 ft. at its closest point to
the side yard (north) property line to allow for an expansion of the garage.
III. Other Business
No other business was discussed.
IV. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 pm.
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Nancy Nelson, Chair Lisa i man, Administrative Assistant