11-04-2020 PC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Item No: 05A Meeting Date: Nov 4, 2020 Type of Business: Planning Case Planning Case: VR2020-005 City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Planning Commission From: Jon Sevald, Community Development Director Item Title/Subject: PUBLIC HEARING; Resolution 1122-20; Variance to Reduce the Front (Side) Yard Setback for an Attached Garage, 2512 County Road H2 Introduction: Bill and Tiffany O’Malley propose to expand their two-car garage into a four-car garage, towards the backyard. The lot is a corner lot (e.g. two front yards). The existing garage has a non-conforming setback. The proposed addition will be no closer to the front (side) yard than the current garage. Discussion: Within the R-1 district, the minimum front yard setback is 30’.1 The setback of the existing attached garage is not known, but is believed to be 26’ – 27’, based on Ramsey County aerial photos. There is no known survey. It is the City’s policy to require a survey for proposed buildings if within 1’ of setbacks, or other critical boundaries (e.g. wetlands). The applicants are opposed to the expense of a survey, unless the Variance is approved. Staff is agreeable to make a survey conditional upon approval of the Variance. A similar Variance was approved in 2019 without a survey.2 Analysis: Setback Minimum 3 Existing Proposed Front (north) 30’ 30’ approx. 30’ approx. Front (west) 30’ 26’-27’ approx. 26’-27’ approx. Rear (south) 5’ 66’ approx. 44’ approx. Building Size Maximum 4 Existing Proposed Attached Garage 480 sq ft 927 sq ft Detached Garage 480 sq ft5 480 sq ft Total 1,800 sq ft 960 sq ft 1,407 sq ft Rear Yard building Coverage Maximum 6 Existing Proposed 20% 10% 20% 1 Mounds View Municipal Code, Section 1104.01, Subd 3(b) (Setbacks for Principal Buildings) 2 2832 Sherwood Road, received a Variance to reduce the front (side) yard setback from 30’ to 22’ to match the setback of the existing house for a garage, and a Variance to increase the maximum combined square footage of accessory buildings in a rear yard, from 20% to 26% (Resolution 1102-19). In this case, the house was built in 1956 with no garage (the owner did not drive). The applicant purchased the house in 2019, and requested to build a two-car garage and breezeway with the front (side) yard setbacks to match the house. No survey was required. This case, along with similar projects, prompted Staff to establish a policy of requiring surveys when buildings are within 1’ of setbacks, or visual confirmation of property pins to confirm compliance with setbacks. 3 Mounds View Municipal Code, Section 1104.01, Subd 4(a) (Minimum Setbacks for Accessory Buildings, Driveways and Parking areas) 4 Mounds View Municipal Code, Section 1106.03, Subd 1(a) (Accessory Buildings) 5 Building Permit #2016-00748 6 Mounds View Municipal Code, Section 1106.03, Subd 1(d)