06-18-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item No: 5B Meeting Date: June 18, 2008 Type of Business: Commission Business City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Mounds View Planning Commission From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate Item Title/Subject: Final Approval of an Administrative Variance for a Reduced Driveway Setback at 5053 Brighton Lane; Planning Case AV2008-002 The applicant, John Wiggins, is proposing to replace his gravel driveway with asphalt. The driveway currently winds around two large trees that are in the way of where the driveway normally would be. The applicant’s garage was built right behind a tree, and another tree is closer to the street. These trees cause the driveway to be different widths and make the garage partially inaccessible for vehicles. The applicant would like to put the new asphalt driveway in the same place that the gravel currently exists, which has a two foot setback between the trees, and more than a five foot setback on the other sides of the trees. Discussion: Staff reviewed this request and determined that it qualified for an administrative variance, as it is a pre-existing, non-conforming driveway. Administrative Variances were added as an option a few years ago to make the process faster and easier for residents when their request was not excessively beyond what the code allows. Staff reviewed the proposed driveway replacement and spoke with the applicant about his hardship claim. Staff feels that the situation is sufficient to warrant a variance. Staff also considered any negative affects that the proposed addition might have on the surrounding area and found that the driveway replacement would not negatively impact the neighborhood as the width would be remaining the same. The Community Development Director granted preliminary approval. The five adjacent property owners have been notified of the variance request. At the time this report was written, Staff had received no feedback from the adjacent property owners.