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05-28-19 BZA Minutes 7800 Golden Valley Road�Golden Valley,MN 55427 . ''� 763-593-3992�TTY 763-593-3968�763-593-8109(fax)�www.goldenvalleymn.gov �t `���Q� �l.! �.� �- v�1 � � Board of Zoning Appeals � ��. May 28, 2019—7 pm Council Chambers REG U LAR M E ETI N G M I N UTES Golden Valley City Hall 7800 Golden Valley Road Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7 pm by Chair Nelson. Roll Call Board Members present: Nancy Nelson, Richard Orenstein, David Perich, Andy Snope and Planning Commissioner Andy Johnson Board Members absent: None Staff present: Senior Planner/Grant Writer Emily Goellner and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman Approval of Agenda MOTION made by Snope, seconded by Perich to approve the agenda of May 27, 2019, as submitted and the motion carried unanimously. Approval of Minutes MOTION made by Orenstein, seconded by Snope to approve the minutes of Aprit 23, 2019, as submitted and the motion carried unanimously. Agenda Items 832 Utah Avenue South Jerry Bonner, Applicant Request: Waiver from Section 113-88, Single Family Zoning District, Subd. (f)(1)(c)(1) Side Yard Setback Requirements • 9.8 ft. off of the required 15 ft. to a distance of 5.2 ft. at its closest point to the side yard (north) property line to allow for the construction of a garage addition on the north side of the home. Goellner referred to a location map of the property and explained the applicant's request to construct a new 20.5 ft. x 27.9 ft. two-stall garage on the north side of the home. Goellner referred to a survey of the property and stated that the applicant is requesting a variance to allow the new garage to be located 5.2 ft. from the side yard property line rather than the required 15 ft. Goellner stated that a second garage stall is a reasonable use of the property and noted that the home was built in 1950 with a one-stall garage and that the placement of the home limits the ability to expand the garage to a two-stall garage. She added that the proposed two-stall garage fits with the character of the area, but that the depth of the proposed garage could be reduced to 24 ft. rather than the proposed depth of 27.9 ft. This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call 763-593-8006 (TTY: 763-593-3968)to make a request. Examples of alternate formats may include large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette,etc. City caf Golden Valiey BZA Regular Meeting 2 May 28, 2019—7 pm Goellner stated that the property owner to the north has expressed concern about their ability to build a garage addition on their property which is similar and about the applicant's proposed new garage blocking sunlight and possibly damaging bushes that are currently located between the two properties. Goellner stated that staff is recommending approval of the variance with a condition that the depth of the garage not exceed 24 ft. Snope asked why the proposed garage should be limited to 24 ft. in depth. Goellner said staff likes to see only the smallest possible variances granted. Snope asked if the proposed garage meets the articulation requirements. Goellner said yes and added that the square footage of the proposed garage and a typical 24 ft. x 24 ft. garage are approximately the same. Nelson asked if the applicant would be able to park two cars in the proposed new garage. Goellner said the proposed garage is narrower than a standard two-stall garage but if the proposed garage were built closer to the north property line than what is being proposed it would be more expensive to build because there would be different building code requirements. Johnson asked about the setback requirement for walkways. Goellner said the setback requirement for paved areas is 3 ft. and that the applicant has said they will keep the proposed concrete pad 3 ft. away from the north property line. Nelson asked the applicants if they have considered any other options. Jerry Bonner, Applicant, said they did consider a detached garage in the rear yard but it was not financially feasible. He added that the extra depth in the proposed new garage would help with storage. Katrina Busick, Applicant, added that they need the extra depth in the proposed garage for motorcycle parking and to have any storage space. Mr. Bonner stated that of the 22 houses on their street five of them have single stall garages. He said that other neighbors are supportive of their proposal and that they understand the neighbor to north's concerns so they have talked to their contractor who is confident there will be no damage to the shrubs in between their houses. Ms. Busick stated that they would need a variance to build a detached garage as well so this was the most economical proposal. Snope asked if a driveway would be on the Wayzata Blvd. side of the property if the applicants were to build a detached garage. Ms. Busick said yes, it was advised to have the driveway on Wayzata Blvd. but that it would be much more environmentally impactful and they would have still needed a variance. Nelson opened the public hearing. Scott Thuleen, 855 Hanley Road, said he received a variance for his property in order to make his house accessible. He said when people invest in their homes they tend to stay. He questioned the standards today and asked when they were revised because cars are getting bigger. He said it is concerning as a resident when people do things the right way and then hit a roadblock for something very insignificant. He said the City is not looking at the bigger picture and that their neighborhood is a transition City of t�oiden ��Ifey BZA Regular Meeting 3 May 28, 2019—7 pm neighborhood and if people aren't encouraged to invest in their properties something is wrong. He suggested the focus be put on all of the do-it-yourself fences in the City and pleaded with the Board to encourage people to put money into their properties. Rondi Shenehon, 814 Utah Avenue South, said she is concerned about her property value and if they will also be able to add a second garage stall in the future. Seeing and hearing no one else wishing to speak, Nelson closed the public hearing. Nelson said the proposal seems reasonable and that in her experience the Board has really tried to accommodate second garage stalls whenever possible. Johnson said he understands what staff is trying to do by requiring that the depth of the garage be reduced but the square footage will be the same as a standard 24 ft. x 24 ft. garage and the applicants are entitled to a 32 ft. long wall so this proposal seems reasonable. He said the applicants considered other alternatives and added that they could put a fence and concrete closer to the property line which would harm the bushes between the two houses but they are not. Perich agreed that the proposal is reasonable and that the applicants are trying to request the smallest variance possible and added that they are not asking for a larger than standard garage. MOTION made by Perich, seconded by Snope to approve a variance for 9.8 ft. off of the required 15 ft. to a distance of 5.2 ft. at its closest point to the side yard (north) property line to allow for the construction of a garage addition on the north side of the home and the motion carried unanimously. 45 Rhode Island Avenue South Kevin Larson, Applicant Request: Waiver from Section 113-88, Single Family Zoning District, Subd. (f)(1)(c)(1) Side Yard Setback Requirements • 6.76 ft. off of the required 15 ft. to a distance of 8.24 ft. at its closest point to the side yard (north) property line to allow for the construction of a garage addition on the north side of the home. Request: Waiver from Section 113-88, Single Family Zoning District, Subd. (g)(3) Accessory Structure Area Limitations • 125 sq. ft. more than the allowed 1,000 sq. ft. total of accessory structure space. Goellner referred to a location map and survey of the property and explained the applicant's request to build a 22 ft. x 26 ft. garage addition which would result in a four-stall garage totaling 1,125 square feet. Goellner stated that the proposed garage addition would be located 8.24 ft. from the north property line City of Gold��� Valley E�ZA F2egular Meeting 4 May 2$, 2019—7 pm rather than the required is 15 ft. and that the proposed garage would be 125 sq. ft. more than the allowed 1,000 sq. ft. of total accessory structure space. Goellner stated that the applicant has said the unique circumstances in this case include the growing trend of four-stall garages, the home was built with a two-stall garage, and there are examples of nearby homes with three and four-stall garages. Goellner stated that staff is recommending denial of both variance requests. Nelson asked if the applicant could build a three-stall garage without any variances. Goellner said yes. Johnson asked about the height regulations. Goellner said a house can be 28 ft. tall. Johnson asked if granting the requested variances could then allow the applicant to build over the proposed new garage space. Goellner said no because the variances requested are only for the plans shown with this request. Amy Larson, Applicant, said she wanted to clarify their intent. She stated that when they moved into this neighborhood they knew they wanted to add on to the garage and that they want all their vehicles stored inside. She referred to the four-stall garage house behind theirs and said that is the only house that doesn't have stuff stored outside. She said they are not being greedy,they are thinking long term and want to keep as much contained as possible. She said she wants the Board to start to consider these types of requests and that what they are proposing is the best visual option. Kevin Larson, Applicant, said they talked to all of their neighbors and that they have a petition with 16 signatures showing their support of the proposed project. He said in terms of other options without variances they could build a single stall addition, expand the driveway, or have two single stall garages on each side of the house but he doesn't think they would be desirable. Ms. Larson said they intend to be here a long time and want to add to the visual appeal. Perich noted that a single stall garage could be added and the existing garage could be extended back. Mr. Larson agreed. Ms. Larson reiterated that they want to keep everything contained. Orenstein asked about the width of the house and the width of the proposed garage. Goellner said the garage would be 46 ft. wide and the house is 37 ft. wide. Nelson opened the public hearing. James Norkosky, 50 Rhode Island Avenue South, said the applicant came to his house to discuss the variance and his wife's response was why build a four-stall garage when they can build a three-stall garage without a variance. He said the character of the neighborhood is two-stall garages, with some three-stall garages not four. He said if the applicants want to store stuff inside they could build a deeper garage. He referred to the variance application where it says "today's standards" and said he is not sure what that means but he's not sure if having a garage that is wider than the house is the standards. City af Golden Vailey BZR Regular Me�ting 5 May 28, 2019—7 pm James Metchnek, 15 Rhode Island Avenue South, said that neighbors have said they signed the applicant's petition because their properties wouldn't be affected. He said the neighbor at 20 Quebec Avenue told the applicants that they should build a four-stall garage and that seems to be the impetus. He said it was also that neighbor who suggested the applicant go around and get signatures. He said he doesn't see any demonstrated necessity or justification for a four-stall garage and that the other homes mentioned by the applicant with four-stall garages didn't need variances. He said the empty space between his house and the applicants house is really nice and it seems that an additional two-stall garage will give him a crowded feeling and affect property values because there will be less curb appeal and will be crowded in and not spread out like the houses in the area. Seeing and hearing no one else wishing to comment, Nelson closed the public hearing. Ms. Larson said she respects her neighbors' opinions and all they've tried to do is improve the value of their property and the neighborhood. She said she hopes that people didn't feel forced to sign their petition and that they will not go forward with this project and it was not their intention to do any ill will. Snope asked about regulations regarding garage space versus house space. Goellner said there are no rules about garage width in the Single Family (R-1) Zoning District, but there is a rule that the square footage of a garage can't be more than the square footage of a house. Orenstein said he doesn't think this proposal is a reasonable use of the property, he doesn't think there are any unique circumstances and that the proposed garage would alter the character of the neighborhood. Johnson congratulated the applicants for talking to all of the neighbors. He explained that want versus need doesn't factor into the Board's decision but there are options in this case that don't require variances so he is inclined to vote to deny the requested variances. Snope said he agrees there are other more appealing options and added that there is 30 ft. in the side yard and room in back of the existing garage as well. MOTION made by Orenstein, seconded by Johnson to deny the variance request for 6.76 ft. off of the required 15 ft. to a distance of 8.24 ft. at its closest point to the side yard (north) property line and the motion carried unanimously. MOTION made by Snope, seconded by Orenstein to deny the variance request for 125 sq. ft. more than the allowed 1,000 sq. ft. total of accessory structure space. Annual Board Training Goellner gave the Commission the annual orientation presentation. She discussed the City's organizational chart, board and commission structure,the City's current boards and commissions, roles and responsibilities, and the Board's bylaws, expectations, guiding principles, and core values. City of Golden Valley B2A Regular Meeting 6 May 28, 2Q19—7 prn Election of Officers Orenstein nominated Nelson for Chair, Perich seconded the nomination. Nelson accepted the nomination and the Board voted unanimously to keep Nelson as Chair. Perich nominated Orenstein for Vice Chair, Snope seconded the nomination. Orenstein accepted the nomination and the Board voted unanimously to keep Orenstein as Vice Chair. Adjournment MOTION made by Orenstein, seconded by Snope and the motion carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm. /l c�,�.U-� � ��--- Nancy Nelson, Chair ` � 1 Lisa ittman, Administrative Assistant i