Agenda - Council - 10/23/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR AN APARTMENT BUILDING CASE OF: LORD OF LI~E CHRUCH By: Patrick Trudgeon, Principal Planner Background: The Lord of Life Church has submitted an application to receive a variance from the height restrictions in order to construct a seniors apartment building on their property. The proposed building will be located east of the current church building and along State Hwy. 47. City Code restricts the height of structures to 35 feet. The applicant has proposed to construct an apartment building that will reach a height of about 52 feet at the peak of the roof. The Board of Adjustment, at their September 10, 2001 meeting, denied the variance request. The applicant has appealed the decision to the City Council. The follOwing items are enclosed for your information: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) Site location map Building Elevation Plan Memo from Ramsey Fire Chief Dean Kapler Board of Adjustment Minutes dated September 10, 2001 Appeal letter from applicant Board of Adjustment Findings of Fact dated September 10, 2001 Board of Adjustment Denial of Variance Resolution dated September 10, 2001 Proposed Findings of Fact in support of granting of variance Proposed Resolution granting Variance Observations: The apartment building proposed to be constructed will be a three-story, 47-unit apartment building designed for senior citizens. The peak of the :roof for the apartment building will be 52 feet tall at its greatest height. City Code restricts building height to 35 feet; therefore Lord of Life Church will need a seventeen (17) foot variance to be able to construct the apartment building as designed. The Fire Chief indicates that the maximum reach capability of the Fire Department for fire suppression and rescue operations is 35 feet. The Fire Chief has concerns regarding the possible impairment of fire suppression activities resulting from equipment that cannot reach the roofline and the difficulty in rescuing tenants on the third floor of the apartment building. However, Fire Chief Dean Kapler has noted that the City of Ramsey's .preliminary budget includes the purchase of an aerial ladder truck in 2002. Given that fact, the Fire Chief is willing to support the request. for variance as long as the aerial ladder truck remains in the 2002 budget. It should also be noted that Ramsey has a joint powers agreement with the Anoka and Andover Fire Departments for -223-