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• City of Falcon Heights Planning Commission April 24, 1995 ITEM: Request for variance of 279.25 square feet to the maximum allowable lot coverage for detached accessory buildings for 1857 Fairview Avenue, Chapter 9-2.04 subd. 2 (b) SUBMITTED BY: Susan Thimsen, property owner, 1857 Fairview REVIEWED BY: Carla Asleson, Planner Susan Hoyt, City Administrator EXPLANATION/DESCRIPTION: Backaround Chapter 9-2.04 subd. 2 (bl of the zoning code limits lot coverage of all detached accessory structures to "not to exceed more than 40% of the required rear yard (30 ft deep x lot width) or a maximum of 1,000 square feet. Accessory structures are typically garages, utility sheds, and/or free standing gazebos or screen porches. The limit on lot coverage of accessory structures is necessary to limit the open space in rear yards in city neighborhoods. Clearly, filling a rear yard with buildings detracts from the residential character of the neighborhood. The size limit on accessory structures is also useful to help restrict very large garages or pole barns from being built on residential properties. Thee can detract from the residential character of the neighborhoods, where lot widths vary from 50 feet to 100 feet, and also become used for storage and outdoor businesses that may not be in keeping with single family residential land use. Reauest for Additional Accessorv Structure Sauare Footaae The property owner and applicant, Ms. Susan Thimsen, is requesting a 279.25 square foot variance from the 1,000 square foot maximum to have a total accessory square footage of 1279.25 square feet. The property in question is 106.25 feet wide. Using the 40% of rear yard formula, Ms. Thimsen would be allowed 1,275 square feet of accessory structures (30 x 106.25 x 40% = 1,275 square feet). However the 1,000 maximum supersedes the 40% rule. Ms. Thimsen is proposing to replace her existing garage, which is divided inside by a concrete wall that separates the garage parking area from a wood shop and allows only enough room to park one vehicle. The entire existing garage would be used as a storage facility. There is also a utility shed (accessory structure) in the rear yard.