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CASE # <br /> <br /> PUBLIC HEARING <br />REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT AN ACCESSORY <br />STRUCTURE NEARER THE FRONT PROPERTY LINE THAN THE <br />PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE; CASE OF STEPHEN AND NILA DEHEN <br />By: Community Development Assistant Chris Anderson <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />Section 9.11.02 of the Ramsey City Code states that on properties less than two (2) acres in size, <br />no accessory structure shall be constructed nearer the front property line than the principal <br />structure. Mr. and Mrs. Dehen have applied for a variance to construct an accessory structure <br />nearer the front property line than the principal structure on the property at 14720 Bowers Drive <br />NW. The following items are enclosed for your information: <br /> <br />a) Site location map <br />b) Site plan <br />c) Site pictures <br />d) Proposed Findings of Fact <br />e) Proposed Variance <br />f) Proposed resolution to deny variance <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />The property is located on Bowers Drive, along the Mississippi River. Bowers Drive is <br />considered the front yard and the Mississippi River is considered the back yard. In 1985, the City <br />adopted regulations lbr properties within the Critical River Corridor. One of the regulations is <br />that there shall be a 200 foot structure setback from the ordinary high water mark. The Dehens' <br />house is approximately 190 feet from the ordinary high water mark and is considered lawful non- <br />conforming. Placement of the new garage in the back yard between the house and river would <br />intensify the encroachment of the river setback. <br /> <br />The better alternative is to construct the garage in the front yard. The home on the property is <br />located approximately seventy-four (74) feet from the front property line and 190 feet from the <br />ordinary high water mark of the Mississippi River. The Dehens are proposing to construct the <br />new garage approximately 10 feet from the front property line and 260 feet from the ordinary <br />high water mark. The proposed location is situated on an asphalt surface (extension of existing <br />driveway) and therefore no trees would need to be removed if granted. The Applicants are <br />attempting to preserve a mature oak, a clump of mature river birches, as well as a mature maple. <br />These trees, as well as the location of the well, somewhat dictated the placement of the proposed <br />structure. <br /> <br />Similar variances have been granted in the past, some of which were for properties along Bowers <br />Drive. [-[owever, in many of the previous instances along Bowers Drive, the homes were much <br /> <br /> <br />