PL PACKET 05191998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT DATE: May 19, 1998 TO: Planning Commissioners FROM: Kim Moore-Sykes, Management Assistant ITEM: 98-05 David G. Newgaard, 3123 Silver Lake Road Lot Width Variance Request. BACKGROUND: David G. Newgaard submitted a lot width variance application for the vacant lot at 3123 Silver Lake Road..,Mr. Newgaard reported to Staff that his mother, who resided at 3127 Silver Lake Road, split her lot years ago, which created 3123 Silver Lake Road. He and his brother inherited these two properties and are interested in selling 3123 Silver Lake Road. The lot, which is zoned residential, is 66 feet wide, rather than the required 75 feet wide, and is not currently a buildable lot. ANALYSIS: Minnesota Statutes and City Ordinances require that several conditions must be-satisfied for approval of a variance request. No variance can be granted unless evidence is presented that strict enforcement of the Ordinance will cause undue hardship; that the circumstances causing the hardship were not created by the owner; that the property cannot be put to reasonable use without the variance; if the variance is granted, it will not change the essential character of the area; and economic considerations alone are not the basis of the hardship. Because the current owners inherited this property from their mother, the circumstances causing the need to request a-variance were not caused by the owners. Mr. Newgaard stated to Staff that his mother had the lot split years ago and it is platted as a separate lot on the Hennepin County Plat Maps. As shown by th e plat map, several residential properties along Silver Lake Road are less than the required 75 feet. The owners of those properties have either obtained a lot width variance or are grandfathered in. In order for the vacant lot on 3123 Silver Lake Road to be buildable, which would be a reasonable use in this residential district, it will require a lot width variance and the granting of this variance request will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. While it is true that the owners are requesting this lot width variance because the lot will be more saleable with a variance, economic considerations are not the only reason for their variance request.