PL PACKET 06181996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT DATE: June 18, 1996 TO: Planning Commission Members FROM: Kim Moore-Sykes, Management Assistant VZ ITEM: Setback Variance for Canopy -- Unocal 76 Service Station BACKGROUND: Roger Bona, owner of the Unocal 76 service station at 2812 - 27th Avenue NE, is requesting a front yard setback variance of 32 feet in order to construct a 20 x 24 foot canopy over an existing gas pump island. The proposed canopy will be three feet from the property line but will be at the same height as the existing canopy and like the existing canopy, will have no signage. The architect has stated in the application letter that there is no way to expand the center gas pump island because it is too costly. Moving the gas pump to the center location would impact parking on site as well as the flow of traffic on the property. They also stated that there is a public acceptance of canopies over gas pumps and without the canopy, the gas pump island is viewed as obsolete. In June 18, 1993, memo to. City Staff, Attorney Bill Soth identified several potential hardships concerning canopies. He indicated that the cost of moving pumps could be considered a hardship as well as the inability to compete with other service stations should the application be rejected. He said that a canopy is becoming a standard operating practice and can be considered necessary due to the prevalence of self service stations. This memo appears to be the basis upon which St. Anthony has granted variances for gas pump canopies. The City Council approved in the same month a variance request by Jim Sarna for the Stop-N-Save at 3259 Stinson Boulevard based on Mr. Soth's information. Mr. Sarna requested two 12-foot variances for a canopy that he proposed to construct because his service station is situated on a corner. The southern most corner of the canopy -is seven feet from the property line. In October 1993, Dick Freiberg, owner of the Phillips 66 service station, requested a variance of 23 feet in order to construct a canopy over the gas pump island. The City Council approved this variance request and allowed the construction of the canopy over the gas pump island that is similarly situated along Kenzie Terrace. Mr. Freiberg had based his request on previous City Council approval of variances for canopies.