HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-14 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes RegularMINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF EDINA, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AUGUST 14, 2013
7:00 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
Answering the roll call were: Potts, Platteter, Carpenter, Kilberg, Carr, Grabiel, Staunton
Absent from the roll: Scherer, Schroeder, and Forrest
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Commissioner Carpenter moved approval of the meeting agenda. Commissioner Platteter seconded
the motion. All voted aye; motion carried.
IV. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Carr moved approval of the July 101h and July 24th, 2013 Planning Commission
meeting minutes. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried.
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT
None.
A PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Variance. City Holmes LLC /David Allen. 5501 Lakeview Drive, Edina, MN
Planner Presentation
Planner Aaker informed the Commission the subject property is a corner lot located south and east of
Lakeview Drive consisting of a one story rambler with an attached 2 car garage built in 1952. The
applicant is hoping to tear -down the existing home and replace it with a two story home with an
attached 3 car garage. The new home will conform to all of the ordinance requirements with the
exception of the required setback from Lakeview Drive, (to the north).
Aaker explained on a corner lot any new home or addition to an existing home must match the
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front yard setback of the adjacent homes. The home adjacent to the east is located 40.8 feet from their
front lot line. The existing home is nonconforming and is located 19.5 feet from the north lot line and
41.9 feet from the west lot line along Lakeview Drive. The existing home is forward of both adjacent
homes with the neighboring homes originally built farther back on the lots from Lakeview Drive. The
new home is proposed to increase the setback from the north lot line to 25.5 feet from the existing
nonconforming setback of 19.5 feet,
Planner Aaker pointed out the character of the neighborhood includes single story ramblers, 1 %2 story
homes and two story homes. There have been a number of homes that have been teardown /re- builds in
the neighborhood. The proposed home has been designed to conform to all of the other Zoning
Ordinance requirements including height, setback and coverage.
Planner Aaker noted that the property was approved for a similar front yard setback variance on May 8,
2013, for a teardown - rebuild. The previous request was for setback variances from both streets
frontages to be greater than or match the existing nonconforming front yard setbacks of the existing
rambler on the site. The previous owner sold the property without exercising the variance. The new
owner is requesting only one variance for a new home plan that will be farther from Lakeview Drive,
Planner Aaker concluded that staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the variances
based on the following findings:
1) With the exception of the variance requested, the proposal would meet the required standards
and ordinances for the R -1, Single Dwelling Unit District.
2) The proposal would meet the required standards for a variance, because:
• The proposed use of the property is reasonable; as the proposed home will uphold the
established front setback pattern already existing on the block. The practical difficulties
in complying with the ordinance include the deep required front yard setbacks, the
orientation of the home towards the streets and the angle of the east lot line.
Approval of the variance is also subject to the following conditions:
1) Subject to staff approval, the site must be developed and maintained in substantial
conformance in terms of house location, mass and over -all height with the following plans,
unless modified by the conditions for Survey date stamped: July 22, 2013, and Building
plans/ elevations date stamped: July 29, 2013, 2013.
Appearing for the Applicant
David Allan /City Homes
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Applicant Presentation
Mr. Allan addressed the Commission and explained the design of the current home is more compact
than the previously approved house plans. Allan said the new property owners have been searching for
some time to find the right lot in Edina to meet their needs and housing style preference and found it
with this lot. Allan reported that the plans presented aren't final; adding more embellishment will be
added to the exterior of the home and the porch may be moved farther back.
Discussion
A discussion ensued with Commissioners expressing the opinion that the request was reasonable;
however, expressed concern that the plans presented may not be final per comments from Mr. Allan.
Commissioners also indicated they were happy the applicants worked out the issues with the most
impacted neighbor.
Chair Staunton said regarding the possibility of moving the porch farther back that approval should be
subject to re- review by City staff.
Public Hearing
Chair Staunton asked if anyone would like to address the variance; being none Commissioner Carpenter
moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Potts seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion
carried.
Motion
Commissioner Platteter moved variance approval based on staff findings, subject to staff conditions
and tied to the plans presented; noting staff will review all minor changes. Commissioner Grabiel
seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS
Chair Staunton acknowledged back of packet materials.
VIII. CHAIR AND COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS
Commissioner Potts briefed the Commission on the City Council meeting he attended regarding the
recommended changes to the Zoning Ordinance. Potts said all amendments received second reading as
written except for the side yard setback portion. Potts said he believes the Council wants to provide
residents with options with regard to the side yard, adding staff will draft the wording for the
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amendment for the Council's next meeting. Commissioners questioned when the amendments would
take effect.
Planner Aaker responded the amendments are officially adopted upon their publication in the Edina Sun
Current; adding she believes the Council is considering January V for the "start" date.
Commissioner Carr suggested that in the near future the Commission takes another look at their work
plan. Carr said she is very interested in light pollution and would like to get that topic in line for further
discussion. Carr offered to research the topic.
Chair Staunton thanked Commissioner Carr for her offer. Staunton stated he agrees it's time to review
the work plan, adding he would speak with Planner Teague to set a date to review the plan. Continuing,
Staunton said he and Planner Teague are also working on a finding a date for Roger Knutson (City
Attorney) to attend a Commission meeting.
Chair Staunton reported that the Grandview Area Advisory Group met. Staunton noted that he and
Commissioner Schroeder are members of that group.
IX. STAFF COMMENTS
None
X. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Carr moved meeting adjournment at 7:29 PM. Commissioner Potts seconded the
motion. All voted aye; motion carried.
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Respectfully submitted
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