HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_92Apr27• MINUTES
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
April 27, 1992
7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: ABSENT• ALSO PRESENT•
Lee Barry Ken Salzberg Susan Hoyt, Administrator
Len Boche Acting as Planner
Ed Finegan Paul Ciernia, Council-
Marie Furton member
Steve Huso
Carolyn Nestingen
Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Lee Barry, Chair.
The minutes of the March 30, 1992 meeting were unanimously approved
as written.
REPORTS, REOUESTS RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Request for a variance from $9-4.01(4)[c] of the zoning
code for 2291 Hoyt Avenue in an R-1 zone.
. The property owner, George Albrecht, presented to the commission
his request for a 16 foot variance in the required front yard
setback of 30 feet to construct a double garage and eliminate an
existing single car garage on his property.
The proposed garage will replace a terrace and deck that currently
intrudes 16 feet into the 30 foot setback. The existing one-car
garage will be turned into living space and the existing driveway
eliminated.
After some discussion, motion was made by Finegan to approve the
variance based on the following criteria:
(a) Double garages are now standard for residential
property. Occasionally, variances are necessary
to meet this need on the urban lots developed in the
past.
(b) The proposed garage represents a continuation of an
existing setback in the front yard.
(c) There are examples of other similarly sited garages
in the nearby residential streetscape.
(d) Topography and landscaping prohibits the extension of
• the double garage to the east.
(e) Meets the standards for granting a variance.
• Page 2
Planning Commission Minutes of 4/27/92
Nestingen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Request for a variance from §9-2.04(2)[b] of the zoning code
for 1857 Fairview Avenue
Susan Thimsen, property owner, explained to the commission the
request of a 247 square foot variance from the 1,000 sq. foot
maximum. The request is necessary to put on a four season porch
addition of 486 sq. feet to their existing double garage of 621 sq.
feet. This would make the garage/porch accessory structure 1,107
sq. feet, 107 feet over the maximum allowed. The existance of a
140 sq. foot utility shed made the total request for a variance of
247 sq. feet over the 1,100 square feet.
The Thimsen's have one of the largest lots in Falcon Heights, with
a 106.5 ft. by 450 ft. or 47,925 square feet compared to a typical
6,150 sq. ft. lot in the Northome neighborhood. Therefore, the
amount of rear yard or open area filled up by the additional area
of the proposed four season porch will not significantly impact the
residential character of the rear yard. The proposed use is in
keeping with the residential zoning of the property.
• After discussion by commission, Nestingen moved for approval of
variance based on the following:
(a) The residential character of the addition is in keeping
with the residential character of the R-1 zone and
neighborhood.
(b) The four season porch will meet the family's living
requirements if it is 486 square feet but it will not
meet the family's needs at 226 square feet.
(c) The variance of 247 sq. ft. of lot coverage by
accessory structures does not detract from the amount of
open space in the rear yard due to the large area of the
property. This lot along with a few other lots on
Fairview are unique to the city's lot size and shape.
The intent of the code is still effective.
Two conditions were placed on the variance: (1) that the space be
used for family living with some storage area and not allow the
space to be turned into an apartment or additional garage space and
(2) that the porch be set back 2 feet further from the north
sideyard than the existing garage.
• Boche seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
•
•
PUBLIC HEARING ON A REQIIEST FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF A PLANNED
UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR APPROXIMATELY 24 TOWNHOMES ON THE
APPROXIMATELY 3 1/2 ACRES NORTH OF CITY HALL IN THE STRATFORD AREA
BY ROTTLUND HOMEB.
Chair Barry called the public hearing on the request for
preliminary approval of a planned unit development for 24 townhomes
in the Stratford Area by Rottlund Homes for 4 four-unit buildings
and one eight-unit building. (see attachment A)
Presentations were made by three Rottlund Home representatives who
submitted their preliminary plans of the proposed development
including landscaping. A scaled down model of one of the townhomes
was also presented. It was brought to the commissions'
attention that there was a time deadline for preliminary approval
from the city and that was June 1, 1992. Questions were asked by
some of the commission members regarding the width of the proposed
road, energy standards, size of retaining walls and placement of
air conditioning units. There were no questions/comments from the
public.
City planner, John Uban, also addressed the commission relative to
the proposal with recommended modifications to the building
placement, roads and landscaping. (see attachments B,C)
Commissioner Finegan suggested that they re-name the development as
the suggested name "Maple Knolls" would be confusing with the
already named "Maple Knoll Street".
Nestingen made a motion that planning commission pass on to city
council a conceptual approval of the planned unit development
project subject to the planner and engineer's recommendations.
Huso seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously with
the exception of Leonard Boche who abstained from the voting.
Chair Barry closed the Public Hearing at 8:30 P.M.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
8:32 P.M.
•