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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 05-16 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes RegularMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 16,1996,5:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Johnson, Don Patton, Mike Lewis, Geof Workinger, Helen McClelland I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Mr. Workinger moved approval of the March 21, 1996, meeting. Mr. Patton seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. II. NEW BUSINESS 96-17 Mark Lenz 4215 Grimes Avenue South The north 50 feet, front and rear of Lot 74, Morningside Request: A two foot sideyard setback variance for a garage and a four foot sideyard setback variance for an overhang Ms. Aaker informed the Board the subject property is located on the east side of Grimes Avenue, south of West 42nd Street. The property consists of a one story home that currently lacks a garage. A driveway/parking pad is located to the north of the home. There is a distance of 15 feet between the north wall of the home and the north property boundary. The homeowner is proposing to locate an attached 12 foot wide tandem garage adjacent to the home to replace the parking pad. Ms. Aaker concluded staff believes the design of the addition compliments the architecture of the home. In addition, it appears that the substandard setback is not uncommon for the neighborhood. Staff supports the request as submitted. Zoning Board Minutes/May 16. 1996 The proponent, Mr. Lenz was present, interested neighbors were present. Chairman Johnson asked Ms. Aaker if the City considers a 12 foot wide garage a single garage. Ms. Aaker affirmed 12 feet is standard for a single car garage. Mr. Patton asked Ms. Aaker to clarify for him the overhang issue. Ms. Aaker explained City Code requires an overhang to be no closer than three feet to a property line. The proponents are proposing an overhang one foot from the property line. Ms. McCarthy, 4213 Grimes, immediate neighbor, told Board Members she is concerned about the proposed addition. She added she is worried her market value will decrease as a result of this addition, and that her sunlight will be compromised by the size of the length of the proposed garage addition. Mr. Lewis asked Mr. Lenz the spacing between the driveway and the property line. Mr. Lenz said there is approximately three feet between the driveway and property line. Chairman Johnson observed this site is difficult because of the elevation change, noting the neighbors concern regarding sunlight and massing is legitimate. Mr. Johnson reiterated this site is difficult, and pointed out the Board generally encourages property owners in Edina to have at least a one car garage. Chairman Johnson acknowledged in his opinion the immediate neighbor will notice a change as a result of the proposal, pointing out the lots elevation change can be considered a hardship. Mr. Lewis asked Mr. Lenz if the overhang can be pulled back another foot. Mr. Lenz said he will pull the overhang back a foot. Ms. McCarthy interjected she really does not know if she opposes the project, she added she is just concerned because it is so hard to visualize, and is planning on putting her house on the market in the future. Mr. Lewis said in response to Ms. McCarthy's comments regarding decrease in property values, that it has been his experience when abutting property owners improve their property, values usually increase. Commissioner Workinger asked Mr. Lenz if the addition will have gutters. Mr. Lenz responded the addition will have gutters. A discussion ensued between Board Members acknowledging the hardship of the site, and the legitimate need of the proponent to achieve a garage. The Board also 2 Zoning Board Minutes/May 16.1996 noted in the past they have been receptive in granting variances to other properties who desire to achieve a two car garage, and to achieve the additional stall find themselves within three feet of a property line. Mr. Workinger moved approval for a 2 foot sideyard setback variance for garage only, and limiting the overhang to one foot. Approval is subject to the use of matching materials. Mr. Patton seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. B-96-18 Duane and Elizabeth Nordstrom 3617 West 55th Street Lot 5, Block 7, Woodbury Park Near Lake Harriet Request: A 4.26 foot sideyard setback variance Mr. Aaker informed the Board the subject property is located south of West 55th Street and east of France Avenue. The home consists of a one story walk out rambler that backs up to Minnehaha Creek. The homeowners are hoping to add a master bedroom to the southeast corner of their home. Ms. Aaker explained the east sidewall of the existing home is 7.24 feet. The minimum setback for living area is 10 feet, however, six inches must be added for each 12 inches the building height exceeds 15 feet. The home is a walkout rambler with the addition to be off of the main level on posts. The height of the addition will be 18 feet given the post height. An 18 foot building height would require a setback of 11.5 feet. Ms. Aaker concluded given that adequate spacing between structures is maintained, staff supports the request. The proponent, Mr. and Mrs. Nordstrom were present. Ms. McClelland asked Ms. Aaker if the addition is proposed to be constructed on stilts. Ms. Aaker responded that is correct. Chairman Johnson interjected that a room addition on stilts may be very cold. Mr. Patton asked if frost footings are required for the posts, and inquired if the proponents could "fill in" under the addition at another time. Ms. Aaker responded frost Zoning Board Minutes/May 16, 1996 foots are required for the supporting posts, adding if the proponents, or any new owner, desire to "fill in" under the addition, they would have to apply for another variance. Ms. P. Erickson, 3613 West 55th Street, immediate neighbor, stated she supports the request and inquired if she would need a variance to enclose her porch and patio. Mr. Workinger responded the variance applies only to the property requesting the variance, he added just because your neighbor requires a variance that does not mean your property becomes non -conforming, and you need a variance. Mr. Lewis moved variance approval subject to the plan presented, and the use of matching materials. Mr. Patton seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. B-96-19 Paul D. Zelubowski Patricia A Evans 7111 Heatherton Trail Lot 13, Block 6, Stow's Edgemoor Addition Request: A .5 foot sideyard setback variance for a two story addition Ms. Aaker explained the subject property is located on the east side of Heatherton Trail, south of Mavelle Drive. The property consists of a two story home with attached two car garage. The property owners have planned a second story master bedroom addition above their garage. The addition will match the design of the existing structure. Ms. Aaker concluded staff believes the additional six inch setback as required by the Ordinance would not reduce the impact of the addition on the adjacent neighbor. Given the 13 foot setback provided, and 26 foot spacing between structures staff supports the request. The proponents were present to respond to questions. Ms. Aaker told the Board she received a telephone call from the neighbor located at 7112 Heatherton Trail, who indicated their support for the project. 4 Zoning Board Minutes/May 16, 1996 Mr. Workinger noted the addition is going to be constructed above an existing garage, adding he can support the proposal as submitted. Mr. Workinger moved variance approval subject to the plan presented, and the use of matching materials. Ms. McClelland seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. B-96-20 Karen Field 5418 Creekview Lane Lot 5, Block 1, Otto's 3rd Addition Request: A two foot frontyard setback variance Ms. Aaker informed the Board the subject property is located on the south side of Creekview Lane just north of West 70th Street. The property owner submitted for building permit application to install decking underneath and to add posts along the existing roof line of their front overhang. The property owner was hoping to create a front porch feel underneath the existing front overhang. Ms. Aaker concluded the overhang is an existing structure. Staff is of the opinion that the addition of posts and decking would have no negative impact on neighboring properties. The proponent, Ms. Field was present. Ms. McClelland noted the posts are the reason for the variance, noting, except for the inclusion of the posts from the street, nothing will change visually. Mr. Lewis moved approval subject to the plans presented. Mr. Workinger seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. Zoning Board Minutes[May 16, 1996 B-96-21 Welsey C and Susan Simonton 6229 Maloney Avenue Lot 2, Rearrangement of Block 23 Mendelssohn Request: A six foot frontyard setback variance Ms. Aaker informed the Board the subject property is located south of Maloney Avenue and east of Blake Road and consists of a rambler with an attached garage. The homeowners are proposing to remove the existing home and rebuild over the existing foundation. They are proposing an English cottage style 1 Y2 story home with a detached two car garage. Ms. Aaker concluded staff supports the request given the following conditions: • City records would have allowed the desired setback without a variance • There appears to be no continuity with regard to frontyard setback. • The home will be 17 feet behind the closest setback (home directly to the east). • Adequate spacing between structures is provided between the subject home and those adjacent. The proponents, Mr. and Mrs. Simonton were present to respond to questions. Mrs. Simonton explained she loves to garden and this lot is wonderful for gardening, adding it is her hope the Board will grant the variance so they can achieve the home they desire. Ms. McClelland moved variance approval subject to the plans presented recognizing City records are inaccurate, and if the proponent had not pointed out the discrepancies, a variance would not have been required, noting frontyard setbacks within this neighborhood vary greatly, and spacing remains adequate between properties. Approval is also subject to the use of matching materials. Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. III. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. 4N�oogenakbke"r 6