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STAFF REPORT To: Planning Commission Report No.: VI.1. From: Kim Moore-Sykes,Assistant City Manager Date: July 17, 2006 Subject: Building Fasteners Requested Action: Public Hearing for Parking Variance Date Application Received: June 20, 2006 Property Address: 2825/2827 Anthony Lane South Zoning District: Industrial 60-Day Expires: August 19, 2006 Waiver Letter Required: Yes Date Sent; X No *Action on this application scheduled for -1& 25, 2006 Council meeting. Background: Staff was contacted by Mr. Loren O'Brien, CEO for Building Fasteners, about the process for applying for a parking variance. He reported that Building Fasteners is proposing renovation plans for their building to add more office space. The renovation plan also calls for the expansion of their parking to relieve an already tight parking situation. To achieve more parking, they are proposing to encroach approximately 10 feet west into the side yard adjacent to Anthony Lane South. He also suggested that they could add approximately 4 to 7 parking stalls in the front of the building (south side of the building) for walk-in clients. Mr. O'Brien has repeatedly stated to Staff and the Planning Commission that he continues to be very interested in keeping and maintaining his business in St. Anthony. The City was also asked to explore the feasibility of constructing on-street angle parking along the main portion of Anthony Lane coming into the area. Staff researched the idea and determined that because this portion of St. Anthony Lane South is very busy, bringing in traffic to the area from 29`s Avenue/County Road 94 during the morning rush hour and relieving the area in the afternoon, this proposed on-street parking would create additional problems with the flow of vehicular traffic. Analysis. A variance is required because the City's Ordinance restricts parking within ten feet of a front lot line in this zoning district (1650.05, Subd. 2 (a)). Variances as granted by the City Council allow modifications to the dimensional requirements of a particular zoning district. Statutorily, City Council has the authority to grant variances when performance standards as required by the Zoning Code cannot be met due to unusual physical site characteristics, called a 'hardship'.A hardship is related to the physical characteristics of the land, such as slopes or mature trees. The property owner must prove there is a hardship and the variance requested is necessary to alleviate a physical hardship caused by unusual circumstances. Variances cannot be used to either establish or enhance a use,which is not otherwise permitted in the zoning district. 07182006 Bldg Fasteners Parking Variance Staff Report.doc