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• CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 16, 1996 ITEM: Request for variance of three feet from the required five foot side yard setback for the construction of a utility shed at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ, 1795 Holton Street, Chapter 9-2.04 subd. 1 (c) SUBMITTED BY: Warren West and Bob Olsen, church representatives REVIEWED BY: Carla Asleson, Administrative Assistant/Planner EXPLANATION/DESCRIPTION: A. REQUEST FOR VARIANCE Falcon Heights United Church of Christ is requesting a variance to construct a new utility shed at a side yard setback of two feet rather than the required setback of five feet. The church also proposes to replace the existing fence on the property at a two foot setback, with the new shed forming part of the fence line (no variance is needed for the fence.) The small, older shed on the site will be removed. • The shed is proposed to be 7' wide by 20' long with doors on both ends. There is five feet of area between the church and the shed to allow for the removal of large lawn mowing and snow removal equipment (see attachment 1.) B. BACKGROUND Chapter 9-2.04 subd. 1 (c) of the zoning code requires that utility sheds in residentially zoned areas be constructed at a setback of five feet from interior side and rear lot lines (on corner lots, the street side setback minimum is 20% of the lot width). If the shed is located completely in the rear 20% of the yard, a one foot side and rear yard setback is permitted. Sheds are not allowed in the front yard area. C. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH PROPERTY This property has frontage on three streets: Holton, Garden, and Pascal. When a property is located on a corner, the zoning code stipulates that the side of the lot with the shortest frontage is the front lot line, unless there are equal lengths, in which case the front line is determined by the property owner. In this case, although the church's entrance is on Garden Avenue, its front yard is on Holton Street, which is its shortest frontage and its mailing address (see attachment 2 for a site plan of the church property. ) If Garden Avenue were the front lot line of this property, the shed would conform to the zoning code because the shed would be located completely within the rear 20% of the yard. However, because Holton is defined as the front yard, the shed is located in the • side yard area and requires a 5 foot setback without a variance.