06-26-18 BZA Minutes Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals
June 26, 2018
A regular meeting of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals was held on Tuesday,
June 26, 2018, at City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. Chair
Perich called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Members Nelson, Orenstein, Perich and Planning Commission
Representative Brookins. Also present were Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman,
Planning Intern Amy Morgan, and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman. Member Maxwell
was absent.
I. Approval of Minutes—April 24, 2018, Regular Meeting
MOVED by Orenstein, seconded by Perich and motion carried 3 to 1 to approve the April
24, 2018, minutes as submitted. Member Nelson abstained.
II. The Petition(s) are:
529 Burntside Drive
Aaron Koski, Applicant
Request: Waiver from Section 11.72 Fences, Subd. 3(A)(1) Front Yard Fence
Requirements
• 2 ft. taller than the allowed 4 ft. of height along a portion of the front yard (north)
property line.
Purpose: To allow for the construction of a fence.
Morgan pointed out the property on a map and in aerial photos and explained the applicant's
request to build a 6 ft. tall fence, rather than the allowed 4 ft., along a portion of his northern
front yard.
Morgan explained that this property has two front yards. One along Burntside Drive and one
along the Highway 55 frontage road. She stated that that the primary access to the house is
located on the east side of the property with a secondary access located on the west side of
the property. She explained that the applicant's proposed fence will be in-line with the house
and will enclose all entrances into the house, increase privacy, and mitigate traffic noise. She
added that if the property directly abutted Highway 55, the applicant could build a 6 ft. tall
fence in the front yard by right.
Morgan discussed the points of examination and stated that staff is recommending approval
of the variance request because it proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner, the
circumstances are unique to the property, and the variance would not alter the essential
character of its locality.
Perich asked if the entrance along the north side of the property was a second driveway.
Morgan said yes.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Board of Zoning Appeals
June 26, 2018
Page 2
Perich asked if a 6 ft. tall fence could run the entire length of the northern property line if a
variance is granted. Zimmerman suggested that it be made clear in the motion that the
variance if granted is only for the portion of the yard that starts at the west corner of the
house and goes straight to the west property line.
Aaron Koski, Applicant, said this is a unique house. He stated that the side yard is basically
divided in half by an existing fence and shed which affects the play area and the size of the
yard. He said he would like to install the proposed fence for privacy and noise mitigation and
clarified that he is only proposing to install a 16 ft. section of fence from the west corner of
the house to the west property line.
Nelson noted that the unique circumstance in this case is the two front yards. Koski agreed
and stated #hat they really don't consider that area along the west to be a front yard. Nelson
added that the applicant did a good job explaining in his application the other options he's
considered.
Perich opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one wishing to comment, Perich
closed the public hearing.
Nelson said she is support of the requested variance because it is in harmony and consistent
with City's Comprehensive Plan, it is a reasonable request, and the unique circumstance is
that it is a corner lot on Highway 55. Orenstein agreed that this is a pretty straightforward
request.
MOVED by Perich, seconded by Orenstein and motion carried unanimously to approve the
request variance to allow a fence 2 ft. taller than the allowed 4 ft. of height along a portion of
the front yard (north) property line.
III. Other Business
• Election of Officers
Orenstein nominated Nelson to be Chair, Nelson accepted the role of Chair.
Nelson nominated Orenstein to be Vice Chair, Orenstein accepted the role of Vice Chair.
IV. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.
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Davi Perich, Chair Lisa ittman, Administrative Assistant