07-14-1982 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Little Canada Planning Commission, Mayor and City Council 30 June 1982 Page Two screen house could be located on the main portion of the lot without need for a variance. RECOMMENDATION Based upon the preceding analysis, the request does not warrant a variance in our interpretation of the Ordinance. This is not to be considered a judge- ment of the desirability of the applicant's structure or the general accept- ability of such near the shoreline. In fact, judging by comments made at the last Council meeting relative to this request, there appears to be a feeling that screen houses near the lake are customarily incidental to lakeshore homes. If this is the case, then perhaps the City should consider amending the Ordinance to allow screen houses near the lakeshore as an allowable accessory structure. Thus, the need for a variance is eliminated. After all, if they are acceptable, why should anyone have to go through a variance procedure to have one approved? In suggesting an ordinance amendment rather than a variance, it must be realized that we are considering an even broader picture than just screen houses on lakeshore lots. It is really more a matter of granting variances for accessory structures within required setbacks when insufficient reason exists for grant- ing such variance. In summary, we suggest that if screen houses near the water are considered incidental to normal use of lakeshore property, the City should amend the Zoning Ordinance accordingly rather than allowing unjustifiable variances to the City's minimum standards. cc: Joe Chlebeck Tom Sweeney Don Carley Ed Locke Kenneth Johanson 10