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Watkins Variance – 13345 Homestead Avenue North <br />Page 3 <br /> <br /> <br /> 3 <br /> <br />The applicant has stated that the best location for additional storage space is to add on to <br />the west side of the existing attached garage. <br /> <br />It is the staff opinion that this condition has been met because of the location of the <br />several large trees, wetlands, slopes, septic system, and drainage areas. <br /> <br />c. Character of Neighborhood. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential <br />character of the neighborhood. <br /> <br />The accessory building ordinance discourages having accessory buildings located in front <br />of the house. The setbacks in the ordinance are designed for 10 acre lots and this property <br />is 5 acres. The property has screening on the south and west lot lines from adjacent <br />properties. The addition would not noticeably change the character of the area. <br /> <br />It is in staff’s opinion that there are practical difficulties in meeting the RR setback requirements <br />and the square footage requirements for attached garages. The property owner is proposing to <br />use the property in a reasonable manner by constructing an addition. The location of the several <br />large trees, wetlands, slopes, septic system, and drainage areas make it difficult to find a good <br />place for an accessory building without grading to reroute drainage and removal of trees. Given <br />the location of the proposed addition and the existing vegetation on site, the approval of the <br />variance request would not noticeably alter the character of the neighborhood. <br /> <br />(3) Spirit and Intent. The granting of the variance would be in keeping with the spirit and <br />intent of this chapter and with the policies of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />The spirit and intent of the attached garage ordinance is to not have the attached garage dominate <br />the look of the front of the house. The proposed addition would be relatively small and well <br />hidden, so as to not dominate the look of the house. The accessory building ordinance <br />discourages having accessory buildings located in front of the house. The proposed addition <br />would be meet the spirit and intent of the accessory building ordinance. <br /> <br />The spirit and intent of the ordinance for a side yard setback is to require a minimum amount of <br />space between buildings and the property line. It is the staff’s opinion that there would be a <br />reasonable amount of space between the addition and the property line, although a portion of the <br />addition would encroach into the rear and side yard setback. <br /> (4) Prohibited Use. The variance, if granted, shall not have the effect of allowing any use <br />prohibited in the district. <br />Attached garages are permitted in the RR zoning district. <br />(5) Hazard Consideration. The variance, if granted, shall not permit a lower degree of flood <br />protection than required by this chapter. The variance shall be determined the minimum <br />necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief, and the variance shall not be issued <br />within any designated regulatory floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood <br />discharge would result.