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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 19, 2022 Page 6 1 In researching the issue further, there are scant examples of mature neighborhoods where 2 these kinds of setback changes can be seen. A number of similar regulations apply in various 3 areas for newer construction, but the visuals do not provide any reasonable comparisons. 4 5 A few existing neighborhoods in St. Anthony have been examined to gain (and illustrate) a 6 clearer understanding of how reduced setbacks might be applied, especially given the 7 restraints on impervious surface coverage that will limit any additional construction. 8 Illustrations showing a couple of short segments of Pahl Avenue in the south portion of the 9 City and a short segment of Penrod Lane in the north area near the New Brighton boundary. 10 The materials include a clip of the aerial photo, along with a graphic of several of the lots on 11 the relevant street. The graphic is paired with some lot data, which we have estimated from 12 the aerial photos – thus these are not exact, but should provide a reasonable representation of 13 the options for the various parcels. Some of the lots have small opportunities for expansion if 14 the setbacks were modified. The lots along Pahl Avenue take advantage of access from the 15 alley to the rear. Their front yard setbacks have some flexibility. A change in setbacks would 16 allow for some expansion to the front of the property. 17 18 The graphic example identifies lot size for each neighborhood clip, impervious surface 19 amounts, and potential expansion areas if the front setbacks were reduced from 30 feet to 20 20 feet. Some of the lots cannot take full advantage of the additional encroachment due to 21 impervious surface limitations. The houses along the Penrod block range from 22 feet to 25 22 feet, with some up to 30 feet in depth. A reduction to 20 feet would not seem to be a 23 significant change in this area. The Pahl Avenue lots are typically 25 feet to 30 feet in front 24 yard depth, which the St. Anthony Boulevard homes typically range from 30 feet to 35 feet. 25 There are exceptions on all blocks to the primary range, and corner side yard setbacks are 26 almost always reduced in depth. The Penrod area has homes which are closer to the street. 27 The homes along St. Anthony Boulevard have very few opportunities for expansion. 28 29 Mr. Grittman asked the Commission if there was any interest in modifying the setbacks. If 30 there is interest some code language could be developed and brought back to the next 31 Planning Commission meeting. 32 33 Chair Socha asked how much community engagement was there about not being able to 34 expand. Mr. Grittman stated staff has not reached out in any way to canvass thoughts from the 35 community. He does receive some calls asking about expansion plans. Some along Silver 36 Lake Road were asking about side yard expansions. 37 38 Commissioner Hendrickson stated last time a number of options were reviewed. She agrees 39 with Mr. Grittman that there may be more opportunities for side yard expansion. She would 40 prefer to see changes to the rear or side setback rather than the front. 41 42 Commissioner Erickson stated he agrees with Commissioner Hendrickson. He did not have a 43 chance to drive past the neighborhoods. The impervious requirement would not allow for 44 large expansions. He would be opposed to changing the front setback. 45