HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 10-19 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes RegularMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE EDINA ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
HELD ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19,1995,5:30 PM
MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair, Helen McClelland, Don Patton, Lorelei Bergman,
David Byron
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mike Lewis
STAFF PRESENT: Kris Aaker, Jackie Hoogenakker
I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The minutes of the August 17, 1995 were filed as submitted.
II. NEW BUSINESS
B -95-48 Kurt Kroening
6433 Sherwood Avenue
Lot 5, Block 4, Normandale
Zoning: R -1
Request: A five foot sideyard setback variance
Ms. Aaker ifnormed Board Members the subject property is located in the northeast
quadrant west of 65th Street and Sherwood Avenue. The property had originally consisted
of a rambler with an attached one car garage home fronting Sherwood Avenue. In 1994,
the property owner applied and was granted a building permit to construct a 2 '/z car
garage addition with workshop that has three bedrooms and a bath above. The new
garage is a tuck -under that is fronting /loading on West 65th Street. The homeowners are
now hoping to convert the old one car garage into a family room. A five foot variance
would be required to accomplish the proposed conversion because the garage sidewall
is five feet from the side property boundary instead of the required 10 feet.
Ms. Aaker concluded staff believes the variance could be an improvement on the
property with the following conditions:
The driveway from Sherwood Avenue accessing the single car garage is removed
and replaced with lawn.
The remainder of the house is finished in the materials used on the new addition
The single stall garage door facing Sherwood Avenue is removed and replaced with
appropriate finishing.
The proponent Mrs. Kroening were present.
Mr. Patton asked Ms. Aaker how two curb cuts /driveways were allowed. Ms. Aaker
said because the property is located on a corner lot, two curb cuts are allowed.
Ms. Kroening explained their intent is to remove one driveway (to the attached
garage) and change the existing garage door to windows. Continuing, Mrs. Kroening said
they also intend to have all materials match, noting presently the house, and addition are
not finished with like materials.
Mr. Byron asked Mrs.Kroening if there are firm plans for the attached garage area.
Mrs. Kroening explained everything will look the same from the exterior except for the
conversion of the garage door to windows. All other changes will be internal. Continuing,
Mrs. Kroening explained they will be doing the work themselves to save money.
Mr. Byron asked if there will be another exit point in the converted garage addition.
Mrs. Kroening said there will be an exit off the rear.
Mr. Byron asked Mrs.Kroening the time frame for completion of the project. Mrs.
Kroening said they will be working on the interior during the winter months and the
driveway will be removed in Spring.
A discussion ensued with Board Members in agreement there should be a dead
line date on the removal of the driveway, and the rest of the project.
Mr. Byron moved variance approval subject to staff conditions and the additional
condition that work is to be completed on the driveway /lawn conversion and exterior
materials by July 1, 1996. Mrs. Bergman seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion
carried.
B -95-49 Gordon and Debbie Stofer
91 Woodland Circle
Lot 5, Block 6, that part of Lot 5 lying easterly
Of a Colonial Grove 3rd Addition
Zoning: R -1
Request: A 4.5 foot extension into the flood plain area for a deck
2
and a three foot extension into the flood plain area for a
porch
Ms. Aaker informed the Board the subject property is located south of Woodland
Circle and currently consists of a walk -out rambler backing up to Minnehaha Creek. The
homeowners had proposed a dramatic redesign of the existing structure that included a
variance from the sideyard setback requirement and flood zone encroachment. The
Zoning Board of Appeals approved a five foot sideyard setback variance and a variance
to allow a deck in the flood plain at their August 17, 1995, Zoning Board of Appeals
meeting. The proponents now have discovered they will be removing the existing house
and constructing a new house that require variances.
Ms. Aaker concluded given the limited building area available on the lot and limited
impact the proposal will have on neighboring properties. Staff supports the request.
The proponents, Mr. and Mrs. Stofer were present.
Ms. McClelland asked Ms. Aaker if this proposal needs to go before the DNR. Ms.
Aaker responded that it does not have to be heard by the DNR.
Mr. Robert Dierks, 89 Woodland Circle, immediate neighbor asked Ms. Aaker where
this house will be located compared to the location of the previous renovation plans for the
existing house. Ms. Aaker said the new house will be closer than the previous proposal,
but it still will be over 10 feet from the common property line. Continuing, Ms. Aaker
explained the new house will be very similar to the plans previously approved.
Mr. Dierks asked Mr. Stofer when he plans to begin construction. Mr. Stofer said
it is his goal to begin construction as soon as possible. He added presently they are
waiting for quotes.
A discussion ensued with Board Members in agreement that the proposal will not
have a negative impact on the neighborhood, and the construction of a new house, instead
of the previous plans to renovate the existing home are not that much different.
Ms. McClelland asked Mr. Stofer if he wants to withdraw the previous proposal. Mr.
Stofer said he is unsure.
Mr. Patton moved variance approval subject to staff conditions. Mrs. Bergman
seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried.
B -95 -50 James and Jill Halbrooks
5300 Brookview Avenue
3
Lot 1, Block 1, South Harriet Park
Request: A 26.4 foot lot coverage variance for a front entrance
overhang with posts
Ms. Aaker told Board Members the subject property is located on the west side of
Brookview Avenue on the southwest corner of the intersection of West 53rd Street and
Brookview Avenue. The property owners are hoping to add an overhang with posts to the
front door area of their home. The homeowners initial concern was that their plan did not
meet the frontyard setback standard. Upon establishing the average frontyard setback the
property owner modified their plan to conform to the setback requirements. Review of the
building permit application revealed that the property is currently 55 square feet over on
the allowable lot coverage of 2,250 square feet. The new front portico would increase lot
coverage by 26.4 square feet from 2305.00 square feet to 2331.4 square feet.
Ms. Aaker concluded there have been a number of similar variances approved from
the frontyard setback requirements, however, lot coverage requests have not generally
been supported by staff or approved by the board. Given that the addition will have
minimal impact and is small in scale, staff can support the request if it remains unenclosed.
The proponents, Mr. and Mrs. Halbrooks were presented
Mrs. McClelland stated she has reviewed the proposal and visited the site and does
not have a problem with the addition of a front entry. Mrs. McClelland noted the Board in
the past has granted similar variance requests.
Mr. Patton moved variance approval subject to the plans presented. Mrs. Bergman
seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried.
III. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
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