05/26/1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 26, 1998 building on the site. Mr. Votel would like the building to be 24 x 32 for 768 square feet. This would bring the total number of buildings to four (4) requiring a variance for number of buildings and the total square footage to 5,234. The area variance necessary would be 216 square feet (excluding the corn crib). Ms. Wyland indicated that the Planning and Zoning Board reviewed this item at their May 13, 1998, meeting, and recommended approval of a variance for the number of accessory buildings and for an additional 216 square feet of accessory building area. Council Member Neal asked if Mr. Votel lives on the property. Ms. Wyland indicated that he does and Mr. Votel is present if the Council has questions for him. Council Member Lyden asked why another accessory building is necessary at this time and what the distance would be from the other buildings. Mr. Votel stated that the orchard was planted many years ago. The zoning has been changed for smaller farms such as his. The distance from another building is 1,000 feet. Council Member Bergeson asked if an addition to another building had been considered. Mr. Votel stated that he had considered an addition. An addition to an existing building would not be consistent with the character of the orchard. Council Member Neal asked if the building would be strictly be used for retail sales. Mr. Votel indicated that retail sales occurred only a few months out of the year. The building would also be used for storage and equipment. Council Member Dahl asked if Ms. Wyland had spoke to Mr. Votel's neighbors regarding this issue. Ms. Wyland stated that she had not been able to contact Mr. Votel's neighbors. Mr. Votel explained that he did have a good relationship with his neighbors. Council Member Bergeson noted that the proposed site for the accessory building was between current buildings and would not effect the neighbors. Mr. Votel added that he had previously taken down two (2) buildings to improve the looks of the orchard. Mayor Sullivan stated that the City is very interested in agricultural growth. However, she did not believe the situation was unique enough to support a variance. The economic factor is evident and a hardship had not been proven. Mayor Sullivan stated that because of these reasons she could not support the variance. Council Member Bergeson stated that in the past a variance has been given knowing that full compliance had not been achieved. • Council Member Lyden added that approving the variance was simply doing the right thing for a citizen of Lino Lakes. 11