Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/09/26 - ADMIN - Minutes - Board of Zoning Appeals - Regular OFFICIAL MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK The St. Louis Park Board of Zoning Appeals conducted a meeting on September 26, 2013, at St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park, Minnesota – Council Chambers Members Present: James Gainsley, Justin Kaufman, Paul Roberts, Henry Solmer Members Absent: Susan Bloyer Staff Present: Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator Nancy Sells, Administrative Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL Vice Chair Gainsley called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 22, 2013 Commissioner Roberts made a motion to approve the minutes of August 22, 2013. The motion passed on a vote of 4-0. 3. CONSENT AGENDA: None 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Variance: Variance to Front Yard Location: 2930 Cavell Avenue South Applicant: Bill Worms Case No.: 13-36-VAR Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. The applicant proposes to add a mudroom and an open covered porch to the front of the house. The applicant is also proposing to add a second story over the existing footprint. The applicant requests a 10.1 ft. variance to the required 30.0 foot front yard for the addition, and a 6.3 ft. variance to the required 20 foot front yard for the open covered porch. Mr. Morrison stated that staff recommends approval of the variances with conditions. Vice Chair Gainsley asked if most of the property is in a floodplain. Official Minutes Board of Zoning Appeals September 26, 2013 Page 2 Mr. Morrison responded that the elevation of the 100-year flood elevation is just beyond the actual elevation of the lake, and none of the building is in a floodplain. Vice Chair Gainsley asked about the right-of-way. Mr. Morrison said that is where the unusually large boulevard comes into play, as the distance from the curb to the property line is off-set. All the setbacks are measured from the property line, so the fact that they have a 23 ft. wide boulevard affects the front yard of this property. The property line doesn’t actually follow the curb of the street. Vice Chair Gainsley opened the public hearing. Bill Worms of Baycliff Homes, applicant, said he is working with the property owners Chris and Sarah Bauer. Vice Chair Gainsley closed the public hearing as no one else was present wishing to speak. Commissioner Roberts said he had no problem with the variance request. The grade change in the back limits the amount of area to be developed on the lot along with the 23 ft. boulevard. He commented that it is sandwiched into a box for development and there’s only so much you can do. He said he didn’t think the proposal will impact the neighborhood. There is a hardship and the solution does not impact the neighborhood. Commissioner Roberts stated that he is in favor of the request. Commissioner Solmer said he agreed with Commissioner Roberts’ comments. He said the site has a very constricted buildable area, even though theoretically it has a lot of square feet. The additions do not make the house any closer to the street except for the porch. He added that as long as the porch is kept open he does not have a problem with the variance request. Commissioner Kaufman said he had no issues with the variance request. He stated that it won’t affect the character of the neighborhood Vice Chair Gainsley said he has no problems with the variance request. He said it is a good plan and the conditions are reasonable. Vice Chair Gainsley made a motion to adopt the resolution approving a 10.1 foot variance to the required 30.0 foot front yard for the construction of an addition to the home, and a 6.3 foot variance to the required 20 foot front yard for the construction of an open covered porch with conditions recommended by staff. The motion was approved on a vote of 4-0. Official Minutes Board of Zoning Appeals September 26, 2013 Page 3 Mr. Morrison read the statement regarding appeal to the City Council. 5. Unfinished Business: None 6. New Business: None 7. Communications Commissioner Roberts asked about the outcome of the appeal hearing for the variance at 4701 Excelsior Blvd. which was granted by BOZA on August 22, 2013. Mr. Morrison replied that the City Council held a hearing, several people provided testimony, and the City Council unanimously voted to uphold the Board of Zoning Appeals decision to grant the variance. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Administrative Secretary