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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 08-01 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes RegularMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HELD ON THURSDAY AUGUST 1, 1996,5:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair, Rose Mary Utne, Len Olson, Nan Faust, Ann Swenson MEMBERS ABSENT: Meg Mannix STAFF PRESENT: Kris Aaker, Jackie Hoogenakker I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The minutes of the June 6, 1996, meeting were filed as submitted. II. NEW BUSINESS: B-96-41 Robert Overpeck 5694 Dundee Road Lot 3, Block 4, Mirror Lakes Meadow Wood 2nd Addn Request: A 27.5 foot frontyard setback variance Ms. Aaker informed Board Members the subject property is located on the south side of Dundee Road near the intersection of Vernon Avenue. The homeowners are hoping to add a third garage stall to their existing garage with a family room above. The addition will be closer to the front property boundary than the existing garage therefore requiring a frontyard setback variance. Ms. Aaker concluded given the hardships relating to the configuration of the lot and home placement staff supports the variance request as submitted. The proponent, Mr. Overpeck was present. 1 Mrs. Swenson asked if the irregular east lot is buildable. Ms. Aaker said if it is build on it would require variances. Board Members acknowledged the difficult lot configuration and indicated they have no problem with the request. Mr. Olson moved variance approval subject to the plans submitted and the use of matching roof and exterior materials. Mrs. Swenson seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. B-96-42 Thomas and Frances Gleason 3608 West 57th Street Lot 3, Block 2, Brookline 2nd Addition Request: A four foot sideyard setback variance Ms. Aaker informed the Board the subject property is located on the north side of West 57th Street consisting of a one story home with an attached garage. The home has a 10 X 16 foot screened porch on the west side of their home. The homeowners are proposing to add four feet to the width of their porch. The porch is currently at the minimum 10 foot sideyard setback, the addition would reduce the setback to six feet. Ms. Aaker explained the homeowners are hoping to expand the width of the structure in order to finish it off as an office/den/family room. They would like to square off the room to make it more condusive to furniture placement. The porch currently has the fireplace chimney located within it reducing a portion of the porch width to eight feet. Ms. Aaker concluded it would appear that the addition would have limited impact on the adjacent neighbor and neighborhood in general. Staff supports the request subject to the use of matching materials to the existing house. The proponents, Mr. and Mrs. Gleason were present. Mrs. Utne asked if there ever was a discussion about expanding toward the rear. Mr. Gleason submitted a letter from an adjacent property owner in support of the proposal, and explained if they were to expand off the rear of their home bedroom windows would be blocked. Mrs. Faust moved variance approval subject to the plans presented and the use E of matching materials. Mr. Olson seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. B-96-43 Greg and Barb Dovolis 6805 Dakota Trail Lot 2, except the southerly five feet thereof, said five feet being measured at right angles to the south of said Lot Block 1, Overholt Hills, James Addition Request: A 43.315 foot frontyard setback variance Ms. Aaker informed the Board the property is located on the east side of Dakota Trail. The homeowners are proposing to remodel the interior of their home and are proposing additions of a three car garage, an expanded kitchen and a bedroom. All of the additions would be to the front of the home. The home is a walk out rambler that backs up to Indian Head Lake. Ms. Aaker pointed out the lot is 98 feet in width with the home located at an angle to the front lot line. The southeast corner of the home is currently 8.93 feet from the south sideyard lot line making an addition to the side difficult. In addition, the rearyard setback from Indian Head Lake is 75 feet which comes within three feet of the back of the home prohibiting an addition to the rear. Ms. Aaker concluded given the limited expansion opportunities afforded the property, do to the existing sideyard and required lake setbacks staff supports the request. It is evident that the new frontyard setback will not be inconsistent with homes located along the block. Mrs. Dovolis was present and Mr. Dean Dovolis architect was present to respond to questions. Mrs. Utne asked if the neighbors at 6809 Dakota Trail have expressed any opinion regarding the project. Mr. Dovolis informed Board Members the neighbors at 6809 Dakota Trail expressed preference for the addition to be constructed out the front. He added any addition to the rear of the subject home would block lake views. Continuing, Mr. 3 Dovolis said the neighbor immediately north expressed the desire to see more landscaping added to buffer the proposed addition. Mr. Dovolis added presently they are working with the north neighbor on landscaping. Mr. Dovolis asked the Board to note the existing house is the same as when it was constructed, and is a two bedroom home. Concluding Mr. Dovolis said this proposal completely renovates both the exterior and interior of the home to create comfortable living for a family of five, while keeping the views of the lake pristine. Mrs. Faust said her concern is with the long building wall that will be created to expand the existing house. Mrs. Faust agreed with the neighbors to the north that landscaping will soften the addition, and asked Mr. Dovolis if he would be adverse to adding residential style windows in the building wall of the proposed garage. Mr. Dovolis agreed with Mrs. Fausts suggestion of adding windows to soften the mass of proposed building wall. He pointed out the driveway to the garage is curved, and their plan is to landscape along its edge, which should also soften impact. Continuing, Mr. Dovolis reiterated vegetation will also be planted along the north building wall to soften the mass from the north neighbor. Mrs. Swenson said in her opinion this addition will have impact, but the house and proposed addition follow a natural line, and if windows are added, and landscaping is implemented along the driveway and addition, impact will be lessened. Mrs. Swenson said she also believes preserving the sight lines to the lake for all neighbors is important, which created the need for the addition going out the front. Mrs. Swenson asked if there will be a change to the ridge line. Mr. Dovolis said there will be no change in the ridge line. Mrs. Faust noted the immediate area is heavily wooded, adding she wants the landscaping to reflect the natural wildness of the area. Mrs. Utne acknowledged when first considering this proposal she had a problem with it, but in carefully studying the plan, and listening to the architect, with the addition of windows, and the implementation of landscaping, she believes the addition can be tastefully accomplished to the benefit of the property owners and the neighborhood. Mrs. Faust moved variance approval subject to the plans presented, the addition of two (2) residential style windows in the north building wall, review and approval by City planning staff of natural landscaping materials which will be planted along the north side of the building wall, (as requested by the neighbor), and curving and landscaping of the driveway. Mrs. Swenson seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. 4 B-96-44 6525 Partners, LLC/American Cancer Society 6525/3316 West 66th Street Tract B, Registered Land Survey 1214/South 383' of east 294.48' except road, Lot 4, Cassins Outlots Request: A 5 foot and a 10 foot setback variance for parking access pavement Ms. Aaker informed the board the request for variances concern two properties. The American Cancer Society property that fronts West 66th Street and the 6525 Barrie Road building fronting Barrie Road. The property owners are hoping to accomplish a shared access from Barrie Road, an elimination of setback to accomplish connection of their separate parking areas and the addition of 25 parking stalls to the American Cancer Society site. Ms. Aaker concluded given the hardships created by the West 66th Street improvement project and given that the proposal is consistent with conditions in the vicinity staff supports the request as submitted. Ms. Bonnie Leet -Benson a representative from The American Cancer Society was present to respond to questions. Mrs. Utne asked Ms. Aaker if buffering is proposed between the parking areas. Ms. Aaker said plans do not indicate any form of buffering, but the City would want this area sodded at minimum. Mrs. Swenson asked the representative from the Cancer Society if they would be opposed to landscaping the strip of land between the parking areas. Ms. Leet -Benson responded there would be no problem landscaping this area. Mrs. Utne said she feels it is important to upgrade the site by adding landscaping, adding at present the area is not aesthetically pleasing, and buffering is important because of the proximity of the school. Mrs. Swenson moved variance approval subject to the implementation of a landscaping plan to be reviewed and approved by City planning staff. Mrs. Swenson suggested that overstory trees be planted in this area. Mrs. Faust seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. Ei III. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. �%1 1.9