PL PACKETS 03161999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT W: Planning Commission From: Kim Moore-Sykes,Management Assistant Date: March 16, 1999 Subject: 99-01 Petition for Variance;James R. Bona, St. Anthony Mobil Station, 2801 Kenzie Terrace. James Bona, also known as Roger Bona and owner of the St. Anthony Mobil Station located at 2801 Kenzie Terrace, has submitted a petition for variance, requesting a 10 foot variance to the sideyard setback on the west side of the existing building that houses auto service and repair bays. Mr. Bona is seeking this variance in order to construct a cold storage addition so that he will be able to store equipment that is used on a daily basis and to support an inventory of items necessary for the conduct of his repair business. He also proposes to store used tires in this proposed addition until there is a sufficient number'for disposal. Mr. Bona is requesting a 10-foot variance similar to the one that was granted two years ago for the building where he plans to construct the proposed addition. Strict enforcement of the Odeyard setback would cause an undue hardship because of fire code restrictions,limiting the types of storage units that can be used for potentially flammable items. Due to the nature of his business and that he intends to store used tires, business-related inventory, and snow removal equipment, the fire code prevents him from purchasing a pre-manufactured storage unit. Because of the "moveability" of pre-constructed units, such a unit could be placed within the setbacks of this property but they are not rated to contain a fire or restrict its spreading. The storage of used tires and equipment outside of the,building-is also not conducive to the City's revitalization and beautification efforts, especially since Mr. Bona's business operates next to a residential area. As he states in.his letter for petition for variance,Mr. Bona reiterates that while his business exists in a commercial zone, he is aware of the residential aspect of the neighborhood and works hard to conform to that standard so that the business can blend in rather than stand out. Leaving equipment and used tires outside does not blend in with the character of the neighborhood nor does erecting a tin storage shed that can be placed within the setbacks of the property. Staff has visited the Mobil Station and talked with Mr. Bona about this project. Of concern to Staff was the potential loss of parking spaces in order to construct this proposed addition. Mr. Bona indicated that he would lose an area about the equivalent two parking spaces,which he was Amplready using for'storage of equipment and used tires. In reviewing past requests, Staff found lKhat Mr. Bona was required as part of his conditional use permit for the construction of the repair bays,to add 19 more spaces. He added 21 spaces on site and another 14 parking spaces on the property he owns adjacent to the repair bays building.