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Home My WebLink About2008 09-18 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes Regular_,.z oa MINUTE SUMMARY Edina Zoning Board of Appeals Thursday, September 18, 2008, 5:50 PM Edina City Hall Council Chambers 4801 West 50th Street Members Present: Chair John Lonsbury, Jim Nelson and Arle Members Absent: Helen Winder and Rod Hardy Staff Present: Kris Aaker and Jackie Hoogenakker The minutes of the July 17, OLD BUSINESS: Staff Presentation Planner Aaker concluded staff recommends approval of the variance request conditioned on the existing driveway must be removed and replaced with sod or other landscape materials, the curb must be replaced after driveway removal according to specifications required by the City's Engineering Department and the single stall garage door must be removed and replaced with consistent exterior building materials, windows, etc, as existing on the outside of the structure. Mr. and Mrs. Chase were present to respond to questions from the Board and their realtor Christine Christianson was also present. Discussion Mrs. Chase reiterated their history on how they "is poi d the Board to please approve their request for a driveway width, elan Mrs. teat that in their immediate neighborhood the matorit : sways a "feet in width.. Chair Lonsbury asked Mr. and Mrs. Chase if they wlii,,3e c� ung the garage, or will a new owner construct it. Mr. Chase responded their intent vtr�re the variance and if a perspective buyer would want to buil ar a they W ever, because of the mortgage climate they may have to d Vit" ments to heir house. Ms. Christianson said it is very imp4 or the ability to construct a two stall to not only Mr. and Mrs. Chase asal Mrs. Rita Elgin, 4006 Mont concern is with her tree, p( concluding she doesn't wa ote��al, f=--be ave a two stall garage Secr�g the v would be of benefit ut t Wential-bttvers as well. Board (' ' ah fed at an earlier meeting) her out it is fh- roperty line, or very close to it, action of a driveway to harm her tree. Mr. Schoen,.the Board he is present this evening on a different i his request. Mr. Schoenwetter stated he agre,, -the two stall garage is mandatory. Mr. Schoer.� r asked the B if there are any setbacks for planting a tree and if not, h� ested that there s e, especially if a tree impacts what someone does on th0l ,y. Planner Aak onded the City doesn't have setbacks for landsca y owledging tr m edges, etc. can be an issue; however, they are handled a level, not el. Mrs. Chase notedle�i° g to construct a driveway at any width determined by the Board or curve fhso it is as far as possible.from the birch tree. Continuing, Mrs. Chase `° speaking with a forester, she was told there can be no guarantee about the longevity of the tree, pointing out it won't live forever and it would be hard to assess if it does die if it's the result of the driveway (if the variance is granted) or something else. Chair Lonsbury stated he is inclined to agree with staff and their support for a driveway width less than 12 feet. Chair Lonsbury pointed out a number of driveway width 2 variances have been granted in the past and there also has been some talk on the Commission level that a 12 foot wide driveway in many areas of the City (Country Club District) is just too wide. Concluding, Chair Lonsbury said he isn't sure curving the driveway is the best solution; however, if the Board were to approve this request he would leave the conditions of approval up to the Board. A lengthily discussion ensued with regard to the health of 1 Schoenwetter interjected and told the Board he is very trot neighbors tree is having on this request. Mr. Schoenwetti importance of trees to a neighborhood, but the possl ihty c request "in case" a tree may die would impact all ho add on to their home., " Board Action Member Forrest moved approval of a 10 foot wadi than 2 feet from the common property line bas d on staff conditions. Member Nelson seconded carried. ; III. NEW BUSINESS: B-08-53 Lorraine stn 5701 B ; nue Request:"aggg foot e existing birch tree. Mr. bathe impact the k�tdged the =enyingdthis iiif h e v decide to setback variance no closer A subject to ie; motion Planner informed"1W t, idd the subnt`'property consists of a corner lot with a single home fronting ve. with an attached one car garage loading from wes�, the owner is hop iden the garage from 12 feet to 22 feet in width to alto ge of two cars. T �r posed garage will maintain the existing noncon t1back of the stall garage from west 57 St. The Zoning Ordinances minim _ ""car garage per single dwelling unit. The garage expansion wif t t 'car garage provision and all of the other ordinance y requirements wiffil� of side street setback. The Zoning Ordinance requires a minimum 20 foot s m the lot line adjacent to west 57th St. The existing garage is located 9.3 fey m the north lot line. The addition will match the existing nonconforming side street setback of the house and garage. The garage wall lines up with the north side wall of the home. The north wall of the home is also nonconforming with respect to side street setback. Planner Aaker stated it should be noted that there are a number of homes on corner much more difficult than just tearing a down a house and starting from scratch. Mr. Clayburg said it was very important to Mr. and Mrs. Bredice to retain the character of the neighborhood and it is believed the plan before the Board does just that. Concluding, Mr. Clayburg asked for the Board's support in achieving a relatively small variance when one compares this request to what has and continues to happen throughout Edina with teardowns and huge additions. Chair Lonsbury pointed out that staff recommended denial not convinced that a hardship exists. Chair L wry expl; have been very protective of front yard sethr !, the location of the fireplace is key; howeve'r,�,"hards":m varia adding he is rically Board's nsbury Adtfibwledaed that cult to identify. led in "" 'se and Mr. and Mrs. uing,r✓layburg explained that it ain .� 'ambler elements of the niborhood in transition and nts reiterating their desire to increase the j the character of the rambler and fiat they want to be responsible, and §ble. continued tot*tile with hardship; however, after further discussion ring findings to rt the requested 4.78 foot front yard setback My 1. Tonal addition to the existing kitchen cannot be nplished without a front yard setback variance given the existing floor plan and fireplace chimney location. addition is a minor point intrusion in the front yard, centered on the house and would have little or no impact on the two adjacent properties. 3. The size (smaller) and shape of the lot, (rectangular), are not similar or consistent with properties on the north side of the block. The subject property is similar to properties on the south side of Kaymar Drive that provide minimal setback to the street. 4. The variance would not significantly reduce spacing to the street. 5. The variance would not change the character of the property or the neighborhood. 6. The variance would be consistent with and will actually be farther away from the street th %setbacks provided by two other homes within the neighb„ d. -,,,, Board Action Member Nelson moved to recommend a 4.78 variance, noting a 33 foot front yard setback " on the following findings: A functional addition ' accomplished without a front yard setback variq and fireplace chimney location; the addition is a yard, centered on the house and would have adjacent properties; the size (smaller) an . similar or consistent with properties o of the b[Wk. The subject property is similar to properties on t minimal setback to the street; the ve spacing to the street; the variance w or the neighborhood; the variar, farther away from the street th the neighborhood. Member m't condition that the varianc H September 18, 2008, unless covered by :0112onde' ' � or ap ' carried. Me no additional p 1� nt. The meetin_ _ , 8: 50 PM S bVme by 10