HomeMy WebLinkAboutBZ Minutes 08.11.22
Minutes for the Board of Zoning Meeting of Thursday, August 11, 2022
Chair Weidt called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
PRESENT: Petty, Arcand, Weidt.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director
Max Gort, Associate Planner
Approval of Minutes for the BOZA Meeting of February 24, 2022
Board Member Petty made a motion, seconded by Arcand to approve minutes for the meeting of
February 24, 2022.
Ayes: All.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Public Hearing: Phil and Mary Watkins – 13345 Homestead Avenue North rear and side yard setback
variance along with allowed square footage variance
Before the background from staff, Community Development Director Rachel Juba introduced the newly
hired Associate Planner Max Gort to the Board.
Staff provided a background on the request submitted by Phil and Mary Watkins located at 13345
Homestead Avenue North. square feet for the attached garage, where 1,113 square feet is allowed by
ordinance. The second request is to allow the rear yard setback to be 35 feet from the property line,
where 40 feet is required by ordinance. The third request is to allow the side yard setback to be 12
feet, where 20 feet is required by ordinance.
Staff analyzed the requests based on the criteria outlined in the City Code. Staff stated that there are
practical difficulties in meeting the building setback requirements and that the strict enforcement of
the ordinance would cause undue hardship because the property owners would not have a building
area for a garage addition without the granting of variances. The variance requests meet the spirit and
intent of the City Code and would not change the essential character of the neighborhood.
It is in staff’s opinion that the applicant meets all requirements necessary to approve the shoreland
and front yard setback variance requests for property located at 13345 Homestead Avenue North. Staff
recommended approval of the three variance requests.
Chair Weidt opened the public hearing at 6:36pm.
August 11, 2022 BOZA Minutes
Page 2
Phil Watkins, the applicant, addressed the Board highlighting his need for an indoor storage area for
his boat and other vehicles that have been damaged by hail and severe weather in the past.
Jim Warnecke, owner of neighboring property at 7830 132nd Street North, addressed the board
expressing his desire for the variance to not be approved. Mr. Warnecke felt that the applicants’
addition would encroach too closely onto his property line, and that previous neighbors had interfered
with his quality of life with similar projects.
Jerry Novy, owner of 8060 132nd Street North, addressed the board expressing concern about whether
the turn of the driveway would be too tight for the applicant to maneuver vehicles.
Phil Watkins responds to neighbors’ concerns and restates his intended use of creating adequate
storage for his boat and other vehicles.
No one else spoke.
Chair Weidt closed public hearing at 7:02pm.
The Board discussed the variance application. Petty and Arcand restate that the proposal meets the
necessary conditions for a variance. Chair White asks Community Development Director Juba for the
distance between the proposed garage and Mr. Warnecke’s home.
Motion by Petty, seconded by Arcand, to approve two variance requests submitted by Phil and Mary
Watkins for property located at 13345 Homestead Avenue North, to allow 2,470 square feet for the
attached garage, where 1,113 square feet is allowed by ordinance, a rear yard setback to be 35 feet
from the property line, where 40 feet is required by ordinance, and a side yard setback to be 12 feet,
where 20 feet is required by ordinance.
Ayes: All.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Adjournment
Board member Petty made a motion, Arcand seconded, to adjourn at 7:07pm.
Ayes: All.
Nay: None.
Motion Carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Max Gort, Associate Planner