06/07/93 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE gl: REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO SIDE YARD SETBACKS; CASE OF GOR-EM, LLC By: Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frelik Background: On May 25, 1993, Mr. Tony Emmerich of Gor-em, LLC, approached the City Council. Mr. Emmerich explained that the market trend as far as home design is that which includes a triple attached garage. The standard lot width in Ramsey's Urban Residential district is 80 feet. The average width footprint for a mid-sized home with a triple attached garage ranges from 62 to 64 feet; when you add the footprint width to the two ten foot side yard setbacks, you come up with 82 to 84 feet, which is in excess of the standard 80 foot lot width.th of 80 feet in Ramsey. The following items are enclosed for your information and review: a) b) c) d) Site location map Applicanfs submittal including written comments and artist drawings Proposed findings of fact Proposed variance Observations: The applicant approached City Council on May 25, 1993 and reviewed the impact of ten foot side yard setbacks on the architectural design of homes. At that time, City Council directed the Planning Commission to initiate action to amend City Code to reduce the garage side yard setback to 6 feet. In the interim, the Council also requested that the Board of Adjustment conduct a special meeting to grant a variance to the garage side yard setbacks in the plat of Amber Ridge so as not to delay development of that subidivision. The applicant has provided artist drawings reflecting the front elevation of homes with triple attached garages designed to meet a six foot side yard setback and a ten foot side yard setback. The drawings show an adverse impact to the architectural lines of the homes when attempting to meet a ten foot side yard setback on both sides of the structure. The minimum amount of garage space allowed on an urban size tot is 1,080 square feet. The approximate size of the triple attached garages is 750 square feet. To utilize the remaining 300 square feet allowable for garage space on an urban size lot would be very difficult. The structure could most likely meet ail the required setbacks, but most urban lots are developed from side yard setback to side yard setback which doesn't leave a sufficient amount of lot width available for a driveway to the back yard garage. Based on that, Staff's opinion is that it would be reasonable to reduce the garage side yard setback to accommodate triple attached garages in order that the property owner may more closely achieve the amount of garage space allowed for by City Code. Traditionally, one of the most common code enforcement complaints is condition of premises relating to outside storage. Based on that, City Staff is also of the opinion that the City should offer reasonable opportunity for property owners to provide for indoor storage space.