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2025-08-26 MIN BZA Regular Meeting MEETING MINUTES 1. Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement • Chair Orenstein called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and read the Land Acknowledgement. a. Members Present: Orenstein, Brookins, Tapio, Commissioner Van Oss b. Members Absent: Anthony Corrado c. Student Member: Vacant d. Staff Members Present: Chloe McGuire, Deputy Community Development Director, Steven Okey, Associate Planner e. Council Liaison: Not Present 2. Consent Agenda 2.a. Approval of Agenda 2.b. Approval of July 22, 2025 Meeting Minutes • Brookins made a motion to approve. • VanOss seconded. • Voted unanimously for approval. 3. Public Hearings 3.a. 500 Radisson Road Applicant: Kory Carlston Request: Request for a variance from the City Code Section 113-88 Single-Family Residential R-1 Zoning District, subsection (f)(1)a and b to reduce the front setback for an accessory structure on the western lot line from 35 feet to 4 feet 1 inch and to allow it to be located closer to the front setback line along Radisson Road than a principal structure. • Okey presented the staff report. • Applicant Kory Calston spoke: o He stated that he misunderstood the zoning code when he originally built the structure. He apologized for this misunderstanding. • Orenstein opened the public hearing. • Maria Cisneros stated that she is a neighbor of the applicant. She noted that the shed is well-hidden by the trees and does not alter the character of the neighborhood. • Orenstein asked if there was anyone online who wished to speak. • McGuire confirmed no one was online who wished to speak. • Orenstein closed the public hearing. • Okey noted that they received 10 letters in favor of the variance request. • VanOss stated that he is in support of the staff’s analysis and sees no reason not to approve the request. • Brookins noted that he is not adamantly opposed to this, but a shed is not something that we would traditionally say is everyone must have, especially when you have a three car garage. He stated that if it were not already built, he would suggest relocating it. August 26, 2025 – 7 pm City Hall: Council Chamber Hybrid Meeting: Teams/Phone City of Golden Valley BZA Meeting Minutes August 26, 2025 – 7 pm 2 Additionally, he thinks staff should maybe take a stronger stance on if something truly is a hardship or not and it is something that would be better to have a conversation with the board rather than seeing your recommendation in in support. • Tapio stated that he is in favor. • Orenstein stated that he agrees with staff. • Orenstein asked for a motion. • Orenstein motioned to approve the variance request. • VanOss seconded • Vote was taken and approved unanimously. 3.b. 4625 Bassett Creek Lane Applicant: Robert McClain Request: Request for variances from Section 113-88 Single Family Residential R-1 Zoning District, subsection (e)(1)(a) to reduce the required front setback by 5 feet 10 inches from 35 feet to 29 feet 2 inches and subsection (e)(1)(e)1 to increase the allowed encroachment of the eaves into the setback from 30 inches to 42 inches. The variances would allow the construction of a one-stall addition to a two-stall, attached garage at 4625 Bassett Creek Lane. • Okey presented the staff report. • Tapio asked for clarification on whether the eaves require the need for a variance either way. • Okey stated that they would have to move the garage far enough back that the eaves only encroach on the 30 inches to build it without a need for a variance. • Applicant Robert McClain spoke: o He stated that they could do the setback, but they would need to add 6 feet more of concrete, and that would cover greenery. He stated that this is the reason he would not like to do the setback. • Orenstein opened the public hearing. • Orenstein asked if there was anyone who wished to speak. • Orenstein closed the public hearing. • VanOss noted that he understands the need for the variance. • Brookins stated that he is not opposed to this variance request. He stated that a two car garage is reasonable for a house and that previous variances granted for a one-car garage to a two-car garage are reasonable. He noted that he would not like to set the expectation that everyone should have up to 1,000 square feet of accessory space and that it should be something that is studied and addressed. He stated he doesn’t see a practical difficulty in terms of a necessity for the garage to be added. • Tapio noted that he is in favor and agrees with staff’s evaluation. • Orenstein asked for a motion. • VanOss motioned to approve the variance request. • Brookins seconded • Vote was taken and approved unanimously. 4. Council Liaison Report • None. 5. Staff and Board Member Updates City of Golden Valley BZA Meeting Minutes August 26, 2025 – 7 pm 3 5.a. Staff Comments • McGuire stated that the Council will be considering a co-naming policy for Haha Wakpadan/Bassett Creek to officially co-name the creek. • McGuire stated that staff are working on a few plans. They are working on a missing middle housing plan and a climate equity plan. 6. Adjourn • Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.